In recent years, many people have wanted to have more privacy at home and search for a large piece of land.  Here in the Shenandoah Valley, we routinely get people wanting to own pieces of land in excess of 20 acres.  While a large piece of land sounds like a dream come true to many, it can become quite a hassle if it isn’t managed properly.  In recent years, I have sold many large pieces of property and I want to share some advice on steps you can take to ensure that your experience of owning a large piece of land goes smoothly and you get the most out of your privacy.

The first step that I would take is find a way to reduce the property taxes.  When you own significant acreage, the cost to own the property for a year can be pretty daunting.  In this part of the country, we are fortunate that we have a few ways that a property owner can reduce their property taxes if they take a few simple steps.  These options include putting it in a land use status by farming, Utilizing a forestry stewardship program, or even using a conservation easement of some kind.  The rules for these vary by county so you will need to do your research on what would be the best fit for you and your property.

Understanding exactly where your boundaries are and what is part of your property is absolutely a crucial first step.  Not only may you need to enforce your boundaries at some point but you also need a thorough understanding of what is on your property.  A boundary survey will accomplish many things for you including marking your boundaries, drawing a map of your property, and uncovering anything that isnt easy to see- like easements.  For example, there could be an agreement with a utility company for them to be able to cross a certain portion of your property.  It is helpful to know this sort of thing before you make plans that can’t be completed.  It will also uncover any other potentially hidden title issues.  Once the survey has been completed, have it recorded at the local courthouse so it is a piece of the public record. It is also important to have the corners of the property marked at the time of the survey. If you have any questions about things discovered in your survey of chain of title, consult your attorney and they will be able to help you understand what is found.

 The surveyor will mark the corners of the property but in order to minimize trespassing, I would encourage you to post No Trespassing signs around the perimeter of your property.  Many hikers, hunters, and other people are not aware that they may have left a place they were allowed to be and trespassed onto your property.  Marking the perimeter with signs at chest height is the best way to combat this sort of unwanted visitor.

Explore your land!  One of the best parts of owning a large piece of land is to enjoy it.  Wander around or take an ATV ride to learn the landscape.  Many people like to post trail cameras to learn the kind of wildlife that is on their land as well.  Knowing the landscape is also a critical piece of my next tip.

Have an emergency plan.  Wildfires, floods, and other unpredictable emergencies happen when we least expect them.  Knowing how to get to an area and solve a problem quickly will be a huge asset for you and may even make the difference between saving your property or dealing with significant damage.

By following these key tips, you will get great enjoyment from your property for years to come.  Owning land, especially large pieces of it, is not exactly a hands off experience.  It needs to be understood, maintained and cared for like many other things in life.  Each piece of land is unique and so getting to understand the intricacies of yours will make your ownership easier and more enjoyable.  The important thing to remember is that it is much easier to take these steps up front than it is to be facing a problem and have to scramble to fix it.