LAND BUYING: DO'S AND DON'TS

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Naturally, you'll also want to know what easements may apply to the land you're buying. That way, you won't plant your vegetable garden in the middle of someone else's right-of-way.

UTILITY AVAILABILITY

As far as utilities are concerned, you should know that if you live at a considerable distance from a powerline, some companies have the right to refuse to put electricity in . . . even if you have the money and the desire for it.

I own a very remote piece of land which a friend—who was retiring—told me he'd like to lease part of... if running a powerline in wouldn't cost too much. Well, I was quite surprised when the utility company representative rudely informed me that he would take my request before the board, but that it would be routinely turned down as being "too much trouble to maintain". I then called a competing power company (folks in most areas aren't fortunate enough to have this option) under the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), and was told that the people there would be happy to do the job for cash up front. The price, however, turned out to be much too high for my friend to pay all at once.

The moral of this story is, Know about power availability before you buy.

CHEMICAL POLLUTION

We've probably all had our fill of horror stories associated with land contaminated by chemicals. I won't go into this further now, but I do suggest that you read Lewis Regenstein's America the Poisoned (Acropolis Books, $16.95)—and other good books or articles on the subject—before laying down any cash.

After all, chemical poisoning can not only make your land useless but can also seriously affect your health and that of your children, your pets, and your livestock. So you'll at least want to know what common sprays are regularly applied in the area (for roadside maintenance, perhaps). Try to find out, too, what has been used on the ground in the past . . . what has seeped into it . . . or what might come down the creek.

PERMITS AND ZONING

In most areas, you'll need permits to build a house, put in a septic system, and so on. Therefore, before you buy, find out how the property is zoned and whether you'll be able to get the permits you want. This isn't as routine, as it may sound, because there are areas with very strict codes that, for instance, allow only so many structures to be built in any given time period. And if you're serious about farming, be sure the property is zoned for agricultural use. Some zoning and deed restrictions can prevent you from keeping certain types of animals or engaging in a commercial venture (including the sale of your surplus vegetables).

PROTECT YOURSELF

It should be understood that, before you purchase property, it pays to make sure the price is in keeping with the normal land costs in the area. After all, what may be inexpensive in California might be outrageous in Kentucky.

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