Buying a Home In The Poconos for the First Time? There are certain items you should know or learn about first.

Moving to the Poconos can be a unique challenge if you are not prepared.   If you are thinking of moving to the Poconos there are various items that you need to learn about and be aware of when buying a home in the Poconos.

If you need to ask questions like, “What is a Well?” “What is a Septic System?” and “Who Mows The Grass?” then there are many items that you need to learn regarding living in a Rural area like the Poconos.  You are going to need to educate yourself.  Thank goodness we have the Internet where you have access to oodles and oodles of information easily at your fingertips from your own home.

When moving to the Poconos you need to know that most of our areas are Rural and do not have City (central) Water or Sewer. Your entire property is yours to maintain including the walks, mowing the grass, maintaining the landscaping or you always have the option, if you can afford it, of hiring a professional to maintain the areas for you.

The Well - this is your on lot water supply just for your home, although there are some homes that have a shared well.   A well driller has drilled a very deep hole into the ground until they reach a certain level of water pressure. Once the right water pressure is obtained they install piping and a well pump which then pumps the water into your home. You will want to periodically take your water to a lab and have your water tested for bacteria. Learn more about wells and their maintenance on these sites:

www.epa.gov/privatewells/pdfs/household_wells.pdf
www.extension.psu.edu/pubs/agrs-111

The Septic System - your Septic System is referred to as an “Individual On Lot Septic system.” This is where all your waste goes (dishwashing water, washing machine water, toilet water, etc.) This system has certain requirements to run effectively and requires maintenance.  For example, it is not recommended to have a garbage disposal in your kitchen or to pour any type of grease down the drain. Every few years you will need to have the “holding tank” of the system emptied by a reputable Septic System Company. Learn more about septic systems and their proper maintenance on these sites:

www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf/ww/septic/pl_fall04.pdf
http://water.epa.gov/aboutow/owm/upload/2005_03_31_septics_homeowner_guide_short.pdf

Mowing The Grass and Maintaining The Landscaping - if you have never run a lawnmower before I strongly recommend you hire someone to do this part of maintaining your new home in the Poconos. Used improperly a lawnmower, hedge trimmer, and weed whacker can be dangerous.  Check Angie’s List for reputable Contractors near you.

Moving to the Poconos means Living With Nature - it is not uncommon to see a deer cross your Pocono yard or even several deer.  You do not need to be afraid of them but it is important to remember not to feed them. They will eat many of your landscape plants too.

You will probably even see a bear from time to time in these Pocono woods.  Again, do not feed them and never go near a Mother Bear with Cubs. She will be very aggressive in protecting her cubs.  

Always, always keep your garbage in sealed containers.  This will help keep the bears, and skunks, and opossums away from your home. Chipmunks, Birds, and Squirrels are a daily visitor to your home also.

Maintaining the exterior of your home - If the exterior of your Pocono home is made of wood it will need to be stained on a regular basis. Your vinyl siding will need a good power washing from time to time also, especially on the sides that do not get a lot of sunlight.

Keep your gutters and downspouts in working order and free of debris.  Make sure your downspouts extend far enough away from the home that they are taking the water away from the exterior of the home.

Plowing the driveway and shoveling the walks will also be one of your responsibilities in maintaining your new home in the Poconos. Again, this is another task that you can also hire someone to maintain for you.

Moving to the Poconos can be the best move you have ever made, you just need to be prepared and informed.

These are some of the items that you will need to become familiar with when buying a home and moving to the Poconos.  

This does not necessarily constitute the entire list of items and this list is the personal opinion of Bobbie Smith.