07/11/2025
🏡🚜 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗲?
You can avoid these 9 mistakes when purchasing land with a home or rural property in Texas:
1. 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.
Acreage means more space to spread out on… and take care of! Mowing, maintaining fences, trimming trees, and w**d control can become overwhelming without the right tools or help.
2. 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘇𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.
Sorry, but moving outside city limits isn’t a free pass to build a barndominium, run your small business, or keep certain animals. Research zoning laws, deed restrictions, and utility easements to make sure you can do the things you want on your land.
3. 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀.
Is the road to the property legally accessible? When you’re interested in acreage that’s down a private road or easement lane, make sure that access is documented in the county records, with a clear directive on who is responsible for maintaining the road.
4. 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.
Most homes on 1/2+ acre will operate on a septic system, and many have a private well. You may be tempted to skip the expense of water testing or a full septic inspection, but it could end up costing you tens of thousands more if problems pop up after closing.
5. 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆.
A good survey tells you where the true property lines are, shows access points, and identifies encroachments or easements. Without it, you might build or put up fence on land that isn’t yours… or find out too late that your neighbor has built on part of your acreage.
6. 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.
Title work will uncover any potential ownership issues, liens, easements, or boundary disputes that could jeopardize your ownership rights. Skipping this step carries a huge risk because title work protects you from inheriting surprise legal problems with your new property.
7. 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.
Larger acreages offer multiple build site options, but some of those areas may be in a flood zone, have poor soil, or lack access to utilities. They might either not be buildable at all, or require extra preparation and expense to build on that part of the property. Always do your due diligence before planning to build or expand.
8. 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.
That “20-minute drive” on a beautiful day might double in bad weather. You’ll want to research different routes and take note of any unpaved roads or low water crossings.
9. 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘁.
This one needs no explanation, and yet it slips by so many buyers. Starlink and hotspots can be good options in rural areas now, but they aren’t right for eveyone. I’ve seen buyers enter a contract and have to back out because of inadequate internet access. If you need to be connected, don’t miss this step.
➡️ Thinking of buying a country home near San Antonio or anywhere in Texas? I specialize in homes on acreage like this one and can help you avoid costly surprises. Let’s talk!
Sharon
830-581-1020
