Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Homeowners associations made up of horse owners often have communal trails,
barns, and other facilities.
Buildings added to any property must usually comply with county and/or state building
codes that outline required building specifications.
Check to see whether the property has ever been surveyed and if the boundaries can be
easily located.
Roads and Access
A horse operation of any size usually requires trailering and trucking. Be sure the property
has all-weather access for the delivery of hay and grain, building materials, and gravel and
cement. It will also be necessary to get a horse trailer in and out during all seasons in the
event of an emergency.
If applicable, find out who owns the access road to the property. If the road crosses
someone else's property, determine if there is a permanent easement for it. If there is not,
before you purchase you should negotiate for a permanent legal right-of-way. Also, find
out what easements are attached to your prospective property, such as roads, trails, utility
lines, and irrigation ditches. Determine what rights these easements give other parties. This
information will be found on the property deed or in the county recorder's office. While
you are checking, see if there are rights that go along with the property, such as mineral
and water, and see if there are any recorded rights that others have on the property, such as
hunting and fishing.
Pollution
Air and water vary greatly in quality. Even if a parcel is far from a large population center, it
may have one or more of the following hazards: smoke from factories, sawmills, or power
plants; dust from mining or gravel operations; odors from agricultural operations, land-
fills, or sewage treatment facilities; noise from industry, highways, or airports; radioactivity
from ore sites or mine tailings; or toxic waste from chemical dumps. Do your research!
Be sure to check the source of the local waters. Water may contain lead or aluminum or,
in a highly farmed area, agricultural runoff, which could be high in nitrates.
