|
CHECKLIST:
What You Should Know
. . . Before Making Your Decision!
In the last issue of LAND RUSH,
we covered topic 9 of 11 suggested questions you should ask before
making your land purchase decision. In this issue, we'll cover the
tenth one - about hunting leases- in depth.
10. Are there any hunting leases
on the property you plan to buy?
The North Carolina Mountains are home to many forms
of wildlife. Two of them, deer and wild turkey, are hunted actively
- in season. Deer season generally begins in September with a "Bow"
season which runs for about six weeks. It is followed by a short
"muzzle-loader" season of about two weeks. Deer season
ends with "high-powered rifle" season, which begins around
Thanksgiving and continues for about three weeks, ending before
Christmas. Wild turkey season runs for 3-4 weeks and begins in April.
During these periods many hunters are actively
pursuing their favorite pastime - hunting. Most hunt only on land
they have leased from the property owner. A hunting lease may consist
of verbal permission to hunt a property, or it may be formalized
with a written hunting lease for a specific period of time, i.e.
deer season, deer & turkey season, etc.
When making a land purchase, inquire about the
existence of any formal, written hunting leases. Such an agreement
would supercede any purchase contract you might sign. In other words,
a hunting lease in effect prior to your purchase would have to be
honored by the new landowner through the period cited in the lease.
If this is not acceptable, it is wise to learn so before signing
an Offer to Purchase.
Occasionally, when such a written lease does exist,
the current landowner may be willing to "buy-out" the
lease from the hunters. This simply means refunding their money
and gaining a written release from the owner's lease obligations.
If the present landowner has given verbal permission
for hunting (but not a written lease), ask for the names, addresses,
and phone numbers of the hunters. Ask the landowner to notify them
that the land has been sold with all hunting rights rescinded. Follow
up after the purchase is consummated with a letter to the hunters,
informing them that no further hunting is allowed.
If you are purchasing a large land tract, it is
possible you may wish to lease the land to hunters under a written
lease to gain the income from such activity. At the present time,
hunting leases range from two to about six dollars per acre.
PAST TOPICS INCLUDE:
(click on a topic to read about it)
INTRODUCTION
1.
Has the property been surveyed recently?
2.
What is the topography of the property?
3.
Is the property accessed by public road or right-of-way?
4.
How much are the property taxes each year?
5.
Are there any restrictive covenants or zoning on the property?
6.
Will sellers finance the property or do they expect cash?
7.
How much earnest money should you offer?
8.
What, if any, utilities are provided?
9.
What closing costs are involved to complete a land purchase?
UPCOMING TOPICS WILL INCLUDE:
11. Are there easements or rights-of-way
for the benefit of others?
|
