We plan to buy a rural property in the country and sometimes use it for long weekends with the kids.
- The lifestyle block you buy should ideally be under two hours travelling time from your home. Longer travelling times between locations can become a trial for children, and thus diminish everyone’s enjoyment.
- If you can’t make it to your rural property every weekend, due to sporting or other commitments, you’re unlikely to achieve the full enjoyment of the rural property that you envisaged. Visiting your property only occasionally may also lead to more maintenance and gardening required when you do visit.
- Make sure the rural property has the capacity to be rented out short-term, without expensive renovations. If there are periods when it's not convenient for you to use it, you can immediately generate some rental income.
- If the property isn’t connected to the main council water supply, make sure it has reasonable water storage capacity so that you don’t arrive to an empty tank on weekends. Have the tank cleaned regularly to ensure water safety.
- Consider security carefully. Farm houses and rural properties that are not regularly occupied can be the target of thieves. A well secured rural property with basic furniture and appliances is the safest way to go.