Finding a Place in the Country

For those of us that are stuck in the “big city” harboring dreams of moving to a rural area, finding
the right piece of property can be overwhelming. I started as some of you have done by vigilantly
watching the web sites of real estate agents in our chosen area. Oh, I had done my homework (or
so I thought) by getting maps, and more maps, and even more maps! Topographical, geographical
and of course road maps were piled high on the desk. Brochures from every real estate agent,
tourist trap, and city hall were the next dust collectors to gain space in my ever growing research
pile. Every vacation was an adventure into the backwoods. No pavement for me! I talked to the
locals, shared dreams with other tourists, and dreaded when each trip ended.

My first purchase seemed like a dream come true. On-line, a company will sell you a parcel of
land, no questions asked, all paperwork via email and post. And the best part is if you don’t like
the land when you do finally see it, they will gladly exchange it for any other piece of land that they
have available. How could I go wrong? Well…… here are my thoughts on why the majority of
the time this does not work out. Now, don’t get me wrong, if it hadn’t been for that first purchase,
I would have never found the land that I now own. I learned from this transaction, and knowledge
is valuable. But I am getting ahead of myself.

I bought the property on a contract basis. I made the monthly payments and felt like I was the
luckiest guy on earth. A few months after the purchase, I promptly gathered my luggage, hopped
into the car and with nervous stomachs, set off for my first view of the land. I was not
disappointed, in fact I was ecstatic! I now had my very own piece of the Ozarks. Eat your heart
out city folks! I was doing it, completing the first step to getting out of the rat race. I reveled in the
fallen leaves, splashed playfully in the trickling stream, climbed over rocks and glades, drank in the
star filled sky at night, and gazed in awe at the hills and valleys. HEAVEN

Oh, there were a few items that were not quite right. When faced with the true topography of the
land it was apparent that one parcel was not going to work. Thank goodness I had purchased
adjoining parcels. But wait…. easements? You mean I can’t build across the line? Problem
numero ono! Restrictions or more often called covens placed restrictions on the foundation type,
size of building and how long you had to complete the building. How would I ever get done in time
living long distance?

About now you should be saying to yourself, didn’t he know all this when he signed the contract?
Yep, I sure did! But blinded by the wonder of instant ownership I conveniently brushed these
things off. However, I happily returned back to the city to start working on phase 2 of my plan.
Did I forget to mention that the ticks that I transported home were sent humanely back via UPS?

However, a few months later I began to realize that maybe I hadn’t been quite so smart. My new
land was costing me two or three times the price per acre that other parcels were advertised for.
Put that together with the building restrictions and I started having second thoughts. I began to
watch the company's site more often. I watched the other parcels. Over and over the same
properties would come back on the market and then be resold. Remember, if at any time you are
not happy with your purchase, you can always exchange the property for another. But in my
opinion, I had grabbed up the best of the bunch. How would any other property compare? None
of the other properties that were available for exchange were to my liking. So like many others my
only option was to make arrangements and cancel the contract. Lesson learned! In case you were
having some ill feeling about the company, DON'T. On the contrary, I wish I had thought of the
idea first! There is a market for land purchase in this manner. It is right for some, but not for all. If
you are looking for a no mortgage hassle, no closing cost, no title issues purchase, this is the way to
go. You can quickly, simply, and immediately satisfy that impulse to own land.

I was not to be deterred from my goal. Again I began hours and hours of research on the internet.
I eventually turned up the most beautiful piece of property anyone could hope for. I was very
fortunate that this property had just been placed for sale. No one else had gotten word yet. Not
even the adjoining neighbors. Into the car I jumped for another nervous ride to the country. But
what I found took my breath away. It was three times the acreage, bordered the take line, reliable
access, and to my welcome surprise neighbors that were as friendly as anyone could hope for. I
contacted the realtor immediately and gobbled it up before the dust settled!

Now of course nothing is perfect. And as you will see, a few minor areas need to be cleaned up.
A small site on this land had been, in years past, used by the locals to discard unwanted items. But
not all trash is garbage! My favorite site on the property is the discarded ’56 Chevy. It is the
home of my favorite “critter”, Mr. Chevy Dillo. If he is not so elusive in the future I will proudly
display his picture for all to enjoy! Photos of my property are located on my photo album page. I
will update these as new ones arrive.