FAUQUIER COUNTY HORSE FARMS - IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK (PART IV)

The final "gig" on farms in Fauquier County!!!  More and more realtors are out showing properties - with clients who may not understand much about farms.  Questions to ask may be:

(1) Can the land be subdivided?  (County zoning will be of great assistance here...with a phone call, or some $$$..either is a HUGE investment in understanding before buying!!!)

(2)  Can anybody build a home around me?

(3) Are there easements?  (Gee, do I have to share with somebody else?  If so, who does what to keep it useable?)

(4) Is the well and septic on my property or elsewhere with a deeded maintenance agreement?  (Many homesteads have been subdivided and in some cases, septic fields and/or wells, had to go with a subdivided portion but with the maintenance and access, the responsibility of the original homestead house)

(5)  If there is a shared driveway, is a written agreement in place and on file at the courthouse?

(6)  How deep is the well and how many gallons of water per minute does it produce?

(7) Is there other property available to buy in adjoining parcels? 

(8)  Is there water available in all fields?  (Do you have to buy water tanks, run water lines, etc?

(9)  How much hay will the loft hold? (Wow, have they ever used it for hay???  How secure is it structurally?)

(10) Is there ride-out or do others ride through this property?  (Why should you ask this question? - many new farm owners are "privatizing" their land and refusing to allow the hunt, or other riders, through their land. There are legal issues, liabilities that may come into play by freely allowing riders to pass through on your land.  Seek a lawyers advise always, but at a minimum, post no trespassing signs to protect yourselves and let those who want to ride through, contact you personally for permission to ride on your land).