6 factors to take into consideration when buying rural property
According to 2017 World Bank data, around 14% of Australians live in rural areas. Given the expansiveness of Australia a figure that low may sound surprising, but, there are many factors which determine an area’s suitability for homeowners across the country.
To help you make a more informed decision, here are some key things to consider when purchasing a rural property.
Factors to consider when buying rural property
Economy
There are certain rural areas in Australia that suffer more than others economically. However, World Bank Data shows that Australian rural growth has been on an upswing since a crash in 2007. A stagnant or declining economy in your local area could make life more difficult, so choosing an up and coming or economically thriving location is vital when buying an acreage.
Community
As with the local economy, it’s important to consider how developed the local community is at your rural property of choice. For example, Banana, Queensland, has seen 95% of its population emigrate to different locations since World War II, which has had a significant impact on the local services. Some rural properties will have the tools and facilities needed for your social, domestic and business requirements, however, this may change the further away you are from a town or if your local area has seen an economic or social downtown.
Farming
Living in a rural area could be challenging if your property borders a farm. Farm work can often commence in the early hours of the morning, and depending on the agriculture, you may find that chemicals could be distributed over your property by the wind. In addition to this, there could be certain noise and smell pollutions that you may have to contend with at certain times or throughout the year.
Land covenants
When buying an acreage, it’s important to determine whether your rural property will be subject to land covenants. While land covenants are put in place to help protect an area, you might find that certain restrictions will end up hampering your long-term development plans with a rural property.
Utilities
It’s generally a given that an urban property will have access to or an abundance of utilities, but, it’s not always this way for rural areas. As is the case for some rural properties, Sewerage systems can lack modernisation, and this may require septic tanks for waste management. Additionally, it’s important to establish whether you’ll have a direct town water supply and a reliable electricity grid in your area.
Pests and diseases
If you’re buying rural property to grow, produce or raise livestock, then it’s especially important that you establish the situation regarding potential pests and diseases that may arise. Doing your due diligence will be vital in helping you determine whether the property in question is suitable for farming and how issues can be controlled.
Are you ready to take the next step in buying a rural property? Once you’ve taken all of the considerations into account, it’s worth looking at how Mortgage Protection Insurance could protect your acreage if you can’t keep up with home loan repayments due to a serious life event. For more information, speak with your local mortgage broker today or alternatively, feel free to request a mortgage protection quote here.
2017 World Bank Data | Australian Rural Growth
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