by Aimee Coulter

Created on: November 13, 2008

Many people dream of living a life in the country. The expectations of what such a life will include are as varied as are the people who will contemplate relocating from cities to rural America. How many of these home buyers will be disillusioned depends on the level of consideration they give to certain factors prior to purchasing a country house.

The term acreage is used frequently in the business of selling rural properties. Most potential buyers view more as better. After all, why purchase only 5 acres when 10 acres can be had for just a little more? That depends entirely on what the land will be used for. Should you have visions of rolling green lawns dancing in your head, be prepared to spend fifty percent of your free time on a riding mower. At the very least, growth in the area surrounding your home will have to be kept at bay. Should the land be wooded, expect to spend some time clearing fallen trees and thinning out saplings to ensure proper growth and prevent disease.

Providing water, air, sewage and trash service to a country home is radically different compared to a dwelling in a city. Although rural homes have electricity through a power company, there are often delays for repairs due to storms. Service companies prioritize repair of lines based on the number of homes affected by that repair. Expect repairs to take several days where only four or five homes are on the repair path.

For those homeowners who prefer natural gas for heating and cooking, be aware that few country homes have access to natural gas provider lines. Propane is used for these purposes and is delivered to your home and stored in a tank. Make sure this tank is full before cold weather hits as you do not want to be caught unawares by a winter storm.

Like natural gas, access to city water may or may not be available. In the event that it is not, a well is used to provide water to the home. Occasional issues associated with water wells are broken pumps, contamination and end of water supply. Although these issues do not happen frequently, they can be costly to remedy.

A septic tank is the most often used method for dealing with sewage in a country home. Typically, these systems do not need to be emptied for fifteen to twenty years. However, treating the lines once a month with septic treatments will ensure the longevity of the septic tank. Also, preventing tree roots from growing too close to the sewage lines helps reduce the need for repairs as well.

If the city or county in which

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