Things to Consider When Purchasing Farmland in Chatham-Kent
Purchasing Chatham-Kent farm land is completely different than purchasing a home, or even a property to build on. From the zoning, to the cost, farm land is unique, and it's important to have an experience Chatham-Kent real estate agent at your side to guide you through this process. Even the negotiation of a farm property in Chatham-Kent is different. If you're a Chatham-Kent farmer looking to purchase a field, we've got a few tips to help you along the way.
Tip 1: Decide on the Acreage
Are you going to be a hobby farmer, will this be your sole form of income, are you looking to export goods to large companies, do you have a strict budget? Answering these questions, along with many others, will help you decide how many acres you're looking to purchase. When purchasing Chatham-Kent farm land, you must consider what you are intending to do with the land, whether it's planting crops or tending livestock, whether or not you will live on the farm, where the farmhouse is located, or are the fields visible from the house. Once you decide how much land you want or need, then it's time for you and your Chatham-Kent real estate agent to begin searching the countryside.
Tip 2: Ask Many Questions
Just like you would when buying a house, follow the lead of your Chatham-Kent real estate agent and ask as many questions about the farm land as possible. You should discover what crops have been grown their in the past. For example, was it a cash crop farm, or was the previous farmer growing specialty crops. You may want a soil test done to find out whether you're dealing with sandy soil or clay. As when the field was logged if it was formerly a woodlot, and ask when or if the field has been tiled. When buying a home, you can get a real lemon if you neglect to ask the right questions. When buying Chatham-Kent farmland, the same holds true, ask questions, or have your Chatham-Kent real estate agent ask questions, it will pay off in the long run.
Tip 3: Check Water Availability
When purchasing farmland in Chatham-Kent, water availability, proximity, and resources are important. If you plan to grow specialty crop which require irrigation, water access is a must. Or, does the field have a history of flooding because of proximity to a river, ditch, or pond? Excess water can delay planting or harvesting, or even kill crops. Finally, is the field tiled? A properly tiled field is a huge advantage during wet seasons when time is of the essence and you are looking to get your crops in or out of the ground. If you're running a livestock farm, access to water could be a good or bad thing depending on where you aim to place your pastures.
Tip 4: Security
Whether you like it or not, security is an issue for farmland in Chatham-Kent, just as home buyers are concerned about safe neighbourhoods and streets. Sometimes, this does in fact mean security from other people. If you grow eatable vegetables, will you find your roadside crop picked over by local residents? If the property is boarding a more urban setting, will teenagers tromp through the field. In terms of four legged intruders, you may be looking for a fenced property to keep deer and other crop eating creatures out. Similarly, you may wish to purchase a field or farm with a treeline along the edges of the property to minimize wind damage.
Tip 5: Land Use and Taxes
Whether you're buying a house or farmland in Chatham-Kent, it's crucial that you have an assessment done on the property showing the correct zoning and the yearly taxes. Farmland can cost a hefty sum per year in property taxes alone, and if the property is zoned incorrectly, you could spend a fortune having the necessary changes completed. Ask your Chatham-Kent real estate agent for help when it comes to discovering these answers. They'll have access to the information you need, or will know how to acquire it.
The above five tips are sure to assist you with your Chatham-Kent farm land purchase. But if you have any further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to give me a quick call at 519-360-0141 or visit my Contact Me page. I've been helping farmers purchase local lands for more than 20 years and I'd be happy to help you finalize your purchase.