What ???'s to ask...

[empofuniv]

On his way back to CA from OK next week DH is going to stop off in NM to look at a place that is for sale. It has a mobile home on 60 acres and is so reasonable priced I'm wondering what is wrong with it. It is in a large agri area and the land looks so flat I'm wondering if this might have been a farm or pasture at one time (lots of alfalfa grown around there).

If it was used to grown stuff, what questions should we ask about what chemicals might have been used on it and should we ask about how long ago?

I've learned from you smart folks to ask it if has it's own propane tank or is the tank rented/leased, also to ask about the gpm on the well as well as to ask to see the last test results. I guess if it has septic we need to ask when it was last pumped and how large a tank it is.

What else do I need to put on the list for dh? We've never thought of buying such a large place before...but the price seems so good for a place in the area we are looking.

Just one of those "if it seems too good to be true" feelings is nagging at me.

[3ravens]

In that part of the world, you might need to check the water rights.

[knight88]

Yup, doesx it have a well or? Do you haul water? How far? Cost? Check the soil will it grow anything other than cat claw, mesquite or sage brush?
Average rainfall?
Access, easement county road etc...
Title insurance..
Good luck...

[DW]

ask about water and then ask the county about water. In Colo. you must "x" acreage before you can get a well permit and there may not be any other water available.

[ronbre]

i think in an arid area like that water would be my biggest concern.

[NostalgicGranny]

When we lived in Louisiana we bought a place that was formerly a part of a garbage dump. The former owner neglected to mention it. I had to have soil brought in to garden.
When we moved here someone who owned the lot next door stripped auto batteries there. The EPA had soil removed and more soil brought in. So to me it is important to know what the land was formerly used for and if there were any chemicals dumped on it or near it.
Those sort of things should be disclosed, but often they are overlooked.

[Windy in Kansas]

I would also stop off at the local courthouse and find out if there are any liens on the property, the yearly taxes, and if the mineral rights are intact, if anyone else has easement or rights of way to the property, etc.

I would also try to find out if there are any large road building projects in the works that would go nearby or if other projects are in the works that might affect your peace of mind.

Have you looked on Google Earth or another satellite view provider to see if there are any large livestock facilities close by that would give offense from odors, etc.?

Since this is a mobile home are there yearly license plate fees on it? In some areas they are classed in a different tax bracket than a home but to keep the classification a license plate is required to be displayed on it.

What kind of Internet services are available, stores, county services such as ambulance, fire, police/sheriff, etc. Any dues for fire district protection?

Scorpions? Yikes!

[Wolf mom]

I love New Mexico - or I should say parts of it. I'd also check the water, climate and the wind yes, the wind.....& the cost of electricity. You really have to struggle to live in certain parts of NM, some parts are quite pricey & other parts, as I said, I'd love to live there, Bought a couple mules in Ramah a few years ago. Quaint town.

If you're planning to garden, see about the growing season length, the type of soil. The County Ag. co-op will have that information.

[DamnearaFarm]

Where in NM? If near me (outside ABQ), I can see what I can find out about it.

[radiofish]

What are the neighbor's like?? Are their photos on the local Sheriff's Dept. wall of well known/ wanted locals?

Right of ways and easements?
Water rights?
Electricity and natural gas/ propane prices?
Property taxes per year?
Is the property access road passable year round with a 2WD vehicle?
Distance to nearest whatever services you need?
How far to the county seat - for county services?
Is there mail delivery in the rural area?
School district - is it adequate, or do you need to homeschool?

Can You Take Living In The High Desert Areas??????????

If it sounds too good to be true - It Is!!!!
A local would have snapped up the property in a heartbeat, if it is that good of a deal!!!!

Just keep adding to the list....

[Jenn]

I added pass a water test (on the well) to my requirements for closing and sent off a sample for about everything but radioactivity (in NM you ought to test for that as well!)

[empofuniv]

Thanks folks, DH and I chatted this afternoon and I passed on your suggestions to him.

I did a satelitte view of the area and it has lots of big green field areas around it.

Doesn't look like anyone is next door, but there is a place across the highway.

We've been looking in that area for several years now. It is close to Deming.

No washes show on the maps I've looked at, so I'm thinking no flooding problems.

Maps also show something that looks like a quarry on the same highway. I mentioned that to DH for him to check out.

The picture of the mh doesn't have any porch or awning, just looks plopped down. Wondering if someone ran out of money or passed away before they got the place completed.

No worry about schools, this would be our retirement place.

Listing says it is NM real property.

Thanks WIK I'd forgotten about fire/ambulance district dues.

I know there is a push by a utility in NM to put in high tension lines across large portions of the state, we've fought that battle here in CA and don't want to be in it anymore. But from what I read the lines would go through Socorro area.

Property taxes last year listed as approx $1220.

We do a lot of staying in the desert, we have 20 acres in the Anza Borrego desert area of San Diego county and have camped/explored/taught and lead tours of that area for almost 20 yrs now.

Keep those suggestions coming, DH leaves OK on Wed or Thurs.

Thanks folks,

Pam

[Alice In TX/MO]

I'd find out from the Sheriff if there has every been a meth lab there.

[Windy in Kansas]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

I'd find out from the Sheriff if there has every been a meth lab there.

Excellent point. This might be a starting point as well. http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/seizures/index.html