Probably plenty properties around here. However, I can't exactly say where here is since we've been subjected to market value property tax assessment.

A couple of comments about buying rural land: Maybe it's just around here, but first thing is to check if the property has a residential occupancy permit and was used as a principal residence. There are a fair number of folks around here that kept cottages while they still were in the city and intended to retire to their cottages—at cottage around here can include a workable farm or timber stand. The properties were classed as recreational use. A fair number received some rude shocks when they wanted to convert recreational to residential use. The structures had to come up to current codes, and that meant doing things like converting 4" walls to 6" walls. Some properties were too small for a septic system and dug well, and drilled walls had to be put in. Some properties couldn't have septic systems at all.

Second thing is to have an environmental inspection done before committing to buy. There's no insurance coverage for existing environmental hazards. Cleanups can be required and can be expensive. All sorts of things happen to rural properties that may need attention and may not be apparent to typical buyers. For example, we inherited 400-gallons of used oil and an old car used as a septic system along with our camp.

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