Lifestyle & Rural

Buying lifestyle and rural property around Wānaka

More land changes the questions you need to ask. Alongside the house, you are buying access arrangements, water and wastewater systems, fencing, grounds and the responsibility of keeping them working. A useful inspection looks at the whole property and the life you intend to lead there.

Start with a realistic use for the land

Decide whether you want a large garden, room for animals, productive land, privacy or space for a particular activity. Walk the boundaries and ask how the land has been used. Consider slope, shelter, access, maintenance and the equipment or contractors you would need. Land area alone does not tell you how much is usable for your purpose.

If you plan a new building, a home business, visitor accommodation or a different land use, investigate that proposal before making the purchase decision. Have your lawyer and planner review the title, covenants, consent notices, zoning and any site-specific restrictions. Existing sheds or extra accommodation should be checked against their approved use and records.

Trace the water from source to tap

Establish whether the supply is a council connection, a private scheme, a bore, a surface-water take or stored rainwater. Obtain the available agreements, consent information, system plans and maintenance records. Ask who owns the infrastructure, who services it, what the ongoing charges are and what happens if supply is interrupted.

Check the practical system too: storage, pumps, treatment, power dependence and water available for the house, garden or proposed activities. Seek appropriate testing and specialist advice about water quality and whether the system can meet your intended use. Do not assume a water feature on the property gives you a right to take or use that water.

Where a regional resource consent is involved, confirm its holder, conditions, expiry and any transfer steps with your lawyer and Otago Regional Council. ORC’s guidance for consent holders explains that transferring a consent requires written notice to the council. Treat this as a separate transaction task, rather than assuming the paperwork is completed by the land sale alone.

Understand the wastewater system

If the property has on-site wastewater treatment, find out the system type, location, capacity, service history and disposal-field layout. Ask a qualified specialist to assess its condition and suitability for the occupancy and use you propose. Extra bedrooms or more visitors can change the practical demand on a system.

Look for signs that need investigation, including odours, slow drains, soggy ground or wastewater ponding. Avoid treating a tidy lawn as proof that the system is functioning well. ORC’s septic-system guidance explains owner responsibilities, warning signs and the importance of qualified maintenance.

Check access, boundaries and infrastructure

• Access: confirm legal rights, road or driveway ownership, maintenance costs, bridges, gates and access for emergency services and contractors.
• Boundaries and fencing: establish the legal boundaries and inspect the fencing needed for your intended use. Discuss any uncertainty with your surveyor or lawyer.
• Power and communications: check the connection, mobile reception and internet options at the actual buildings, especially if you plan to work from home.
• Buildings and land condition: arrange inspections appropriate to the house, outbuildings and site. Investigate known past uses, potential contamination, drainage and relevant natural-hazard information.
• Insurance: describe the full property and intended activities to an insurer, including outbuildings, access structures and periods of vacancy.

Budget for the property after settlement

Allow for servicing water and wastewater systems, fencing, weed and pest control, tracks, grounds, insurance and professional help. If the property has an existing income stream, have your accountant and lawyer examine the actual records and agreements. Separate the appeal of the lifestyle from the assumptions needed to make the budget work.

Put the right information beside your shortlist

Ray White Wanaka’s existing service experience includes lifestyle and rural property as well as residential homes and subdivisions. Tell us your intended use, budget and timing so we can discuss relevant listings and the information available. Read our buying guide and land and building guide, browse properties for sale, or contact us on 03 443 8912 or through the form below.