Thinking About Future Utility Needs

When looking to buy land, it is important to think about future utility needs. How will you get power/electricity? How will you get water? How will you manage sewage waste?

When you buy an established home, these utilities are often already in place. For example buying a home in the city usually means your home is serviced by an electric utility company and is hooked up to the city water and sewer system. All that is required of you is to notify each company to let them know of the change in ownership.

As you move away from the city, homes often still receive their power by an electric utility company, but each homeowner may be responsible for sourcing their own water and managing their own waste - often via a well and septic system, respectively, located on the property.

When buying vacant land, you'll be responsible for setting up every utility you need (if you're using a contractor to build a home, they will help guide you through every step). If you're more of a DIY'er, or are looking to use the land for occasional recreational use (i.e. camping), make sure you take the time to research what, if any, utilities are available in your area. Call the county to learn about any special requirements/restrictions for utilities installed on your property and to see if alternative methods are allowed.