Maintaining Acreage - What Are We In For?

[Astrid]

Yep maintenance is higher than a normal block. We have had to get some tree work done, then there is mowing and whipper snippering. Then it is a whole other ball game if you add animals to the mix. Finding myself tied to home at the moment as we have young chicks who need regular feeding and checking on with the changes in temps.

Also need to look into other things like is it on tank water, bore water and does it have a septic tank. They are all extra work. Gutters need to be kept clean for water collection and of course for fire safety. Tanks need a clean out every so often, along with the odd top up from a water tanker if there has not been decent rain for awhile. Septics need pumping every so often as well and you need to be a bit more careful of what goes down them and water flow etc. There are also pumps with tanks and bores. These use power, the newer variable speed ones a much cheaper to run. Pumps in general can have problems, so be prepared to pay for repairs or replacements depending on age. Our last bill was over $600.

What is the garbage collection like? Is there one, or do you have to pay for some one to collect it or take it to the tip yourself. That is also extra work. Not so much expense, as your rates should be less if there is no road side collection. The work is extra sorting of recylables, as they have to be sorted right down to type and of course the loading of a trailer.

Really recommend having a trailer with a larger property. That way you know you can take home big purchase, as not everyone will deliver to rural areas or if they do it is on their time and price. Also good for transporting small animals if it has sides.

Check into the capital gains implications on the block, as only the first 5 acres is exempt from CGT.