Reason for land being so cheap

If it were my land, I would want an above-ground cistern that was fed by the roof downspout. And, yes, bring in drinking water when the spring runs dry. Laundry can be done in town, cistern water for bathing and flushing, drinking water in jugs.

I would also pay attention to the watershed: can a pond be built? Or, would the spring produce better if those willow trees were removed? The only cost THERE would be for a chainsaw!

I would also improve whatever part of the road I legally could. My Aunt had a driveway that was bottomless mud in wet weather: no fun!

As for access, *IF* the neighbors gave them a hard time, I suspect they could claim an easement through adverse possesion, but that would be something to ask the lawyer about. Different states have different laws.

You said they got a mortgage - did they get an appraisal? An appraisal SHOULD have shed light on some of these issues - at least the access issue... The title report should have found any easements recorded on this property but not necessarily one next door (like the ones with the road). Would check to see if any easements have ever been recorded on the other properties first. It's possible that there were never any easements and the neighbors were all related or good friends and let them use the road. There also could have been a falling out between them before the house sold.

Just bought a 550 gal water tank new for house -- 400 bucks got a 225 used in metal cage for 40 to haul water in. rock is what? 100 a load in bulk? make a deal with a local hauler for a load a week for 3 months!
My land was cheep too, but not asking neighbors to fix road i use and they dont!

You don't say what state you are in, but in NC, land cannot be landlocked. The neighbor has to give you a right-of-way. Also, I don't for one minute believe a bank or mortgage company lent money on a land locked property. Either they used unconventional mortgage, or they have a legal right-of- way. They need to talk to the mortgage co. and the attorney who bought the title ins. for them.

They have access but no one wants to chip in for road repair? That's kind of what I'm getting? The only property I've bought have been down private roads. It's never been a problem because my husband has big equipment and doesn't mind work. In town he was literally the only one that took care of the road, he finally just did it only to our house. Out here when we re-rocked and graded it 4 years ago the three full time neighbors (us included) all split the bill equally. We didn't have to though, we just want good neighbor relations, and they were fixing the road we use (and have legal access to use, it's everyones road, on no ones property). The fourth neighbor rents his property out and could care less about his land or road and didn't pay a penney.

As to the water, why not get a water catchment system. We live in Oregon, so lots of water, but we just put one in off our barn and got about 1000-1300 gallons in a weekend. As others mentioned there are other water options.

All that said, I am very very surprised someone bought land without investigating something so basic as water and access.

__________________
Idleness is leisure gone to seed

This is why you always have a professional inspecter inspect the property. Any inspector worth his salt would have asked about the well and septic. If he couldn't see what needs to be seen, he would have instructed the potential buyers to specificly question the situation.

__________________
Nothing is as strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength - St. Francis de Sales

Access should always be the #1 priority of any real estate transactions. Without access........you have nothing. Period.

Many states have laws on the books regarding "landlocked" property. The State of Wisconsin allows the sale of landlocked property, but it must be disclosed by the seller. Unfortunately, many people incorrectly believe their is no such thing as "landlocked" property.
Easement by perscription is possible, but not easy or cheap. Wisconsin stipulates that the road must have been used "continuously" for 20 years to qualify. Legal fees generally will run $5000 - $10000.

Assuming the easement problem gets resolved, there still is a problem with ingress/egress to the property. Shared roads are generally nightmares. Ones person's idea of proper road maintenance is nothing. Another person believes they should be able to drive a Buick Lesabre on the road without splashing any mud/dirt on the vehicle.
The problems with a shared road will last until the property is sold.

Live & learn

I don't want to sound really mean here - but it sounds like the real estate agent thought they were 'stealing' something. I mean putting something over on some poor old country bumpkin - and it may be the other way around.

Now if no realtor had been involved, I would understand. It is really easy to get into messes buying or selling property.

I have mixed emotions about disclosures. What might seem really egregious to some, might not even be an inconvenience to others. Things could not be disclosed just because seller didn't think about them.

When we sell property - land or houses, we always insert, "This property is being sold as is, where is. Seller makes no statements regarding the property. Buyer has viewed the property and has made his own determination."



WE sold a 12,000 sq ft, 100 year old house once, and the buyer had the realtor insert the clause that it wouldn't take more than $6,000 to put it into original condition. It would have taken over $100,000 to do that. It almost got by us.

So, if one wants guarantees, one needs to do their homework, hire the experts.

That doesn't mean I don't sympathize with the folks in this story.

if it was a good deal....it is still a good deal even if it costs $10,000 to drill a well...........