With no rush hour traffic, plenty of peace and quiet, and beautiful scenery at every turn, it’s not hard to see why so many Ontarians are migrating from dense urban areas to more laidback rural communities.
That said, owning a home in the country is quite different from life in a town or city. So, before you begin house hunting, you’ll want to know what you’re in for. Here are five things to know before you buy a home in the country.
Looking to discover Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes’ best rural communities? Click here to read our blog post on where to find rural homes out here.
1. It’s a Different Lifestyle
Arguably the most important thing to know before you move to the country is that it’s a completely different lifestyle from the city. Ok, this might sound obvious – and in fact, most people who move somewhere rural are specifically looking for a change of pace in their day-to-day life, however, it’s important to think through the differences before you make a major change in scenery.
In a rural area, you’ll be much more secluded compared to living in a city or larger town. While this is a major draw for many incoming homebuyers, it’s not without its challenges. If you’re accustomed to having amenities like grocery stores, healthcare, shopping, and other essential services within walking distance or even a short drive, moving to the country might take some getting used to.
While there are a lot of smaller communities in Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes that are amenity-rich, be aware that things like running errands may take a little bit longer than usual.
Looking for more catch-all advice on buying a home in the country (or elsewhere)? Read these blogs next!
- What Are My Mortgage Options in Today’s Market?
- How to Budget For Your Next Home
- Moving Out of Toronto? Here Are 5 Tips For Transitioning to Life in a Smaller Town
2. There’s More Maintenance
Wherever you own a home, you’ll need to take care of it. In the country, owning real estate often means owning a much larger plot of land than you would in the city – sometimes even multiple acres. With that in mind, maintenance and upkeep can be a larger task and overall responsibility for homeowners with rural properties.
3. Selecting Your Community
Regardless of how rural or secluded your next home is, the surrounding communities will play a big role in your overall quality of life.
In our neck of the woods, Durham Region and the Kawartha Lakes, there are a number of fantastic rural communities – each with something unique to offer. So, buyers have a lot to choose from. With that in mind, it’s important to think about which amenities, services, and conveniences are most important to you before you begin house hunting. Then, once you partner with a real estate agent, they can match you with whichever areas will make the best fit.
Community is a big part of life in the country. Check out these blogs to learn more about the unique communities in our part of the province.
- Is Port Perry a Small Town?
- Why do Families Love Kawartha Lakes?
- Uxbridge: Where the Outdoors Meet the Arts
4. Know Your Riparian Rights
One of the unique opportunities that comes with moving to the country is the chance to buy a waterfront home. While life on the water can be second to none, it’s important to know about the legal aspects of owning property along the shoreline. As a homeowner, your water privileges are called riparian rights. They determine things like whether or not you’re able to build a dock, your actual property line, and more.
If you’re specifically interested in purchasing a waterfront home, make sure you work closely with your agent to understand the riparian rights. If you skip out on your due diligence, you could find yourself unable to use your own property how you’d like.
5. Work With a Country Home Expert
Finally, if you’re thinking about buying a home in the country, it’s incredibly important that you choose to work with a real estate agent who specializes in rural properties and communities.
Sure, there will be plenty of real estate agents from the city who may be willing to make the drive and assist you with your home search, but it’s much better to work with a professional who is local to the area.
We’ve covered a lot of ground on what makes rural homes unique in this blog, but that’s really only the tip of the iceberg. While five is a great start, there are really more like 500 things you should know before you buy a home in the country. So, there’s no better resource as you navigate your buying journey than a local, rural homes specialist – that’s where we come in.
With more than 175 years of combined experience in our local market, we know everything there is to know about country homes in Durham Region and Kawartha Lakes. Whatever you’re looking for in a rural home, be it a working farm, waterfront cottage, or simply a charming place to raise a family, we can help you find it.
Searching for the perfect place to call home? We can help. Call 905-985-7300 to reach our team or click here to send us an email.
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