7 Things to Know Before You Buy An Acreage In Madison County or surrounding areas.
There’s a lot to love about acreage living. More space, fewer neighbors, room for a garden or animals, beautiful Iowa rollinghills—and still being within driving distance of Winterset and the Des Moines metro.
But buying an acreage is a little different from buying a home in town.
When you’re looking at acreages for sale in Central Iowa, there are a few things you’ll want to consider beyond the number of bedrooms, size of the kitchen and whether you love the view from the front porch.
Here are seven things to know before making an acreage for your home.
1. Know Where Your Water Comes From
One of the first questions to ask when touring an acreage is simple: Where does the water come from?
Depending on the property, an acreage may rely on a private well rather than a municipal water system. That means you’ll want to understand the condition of the well, its location, water quality and any maintenance that may be needed.
If you’ve always lived in town, owning a private well may be new territory—but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. You simply want to know what you’re purchasing before closing.
Madison County’s Environmental Health Office oversees private well permitting and offers resources related to private wells and water testing.
2. Understand the Septic System
The same goes for wastewater.
Many rural homes use private septic systems rather than city sewer. Before buying, you’ll want to know the age, type, condition and maintenance history of the system.
Iowa also has requirements surrounding septic inspections when certain properties are transferred, so this is something to discuss early in the buying process rather than discovering it right before closing.
A septic system isn’t necessarily a downside to acreage living. It’s simply another important piece of the property to understand.
3. Pay Attention to the Road—not Just the House
That peaceful gravel road can be part of the charm of country living, but think about what your drive will look like during every season.
Ask questions like:
- Is the property on pavement or gravel?
- Who maintains the road?
- What is winter access like?
- How long is the driveway?
- Will you be responsible for snow removal?
- How will the road affect your daily commute?
Madison County maintains a secondary road system and has specific classifications and policies for rural roads. If you’re unfamiliar with the area, we want to help you understand what questions to ask about a particular property’s access.
That beautiful secluded home may still be perfect for you—you just want to know what getting there looks like in February, not only September.
4. Look Closely at Outbuildings, Fences and the Rest of the Property
With an acreage, you’re rarely buying just a house.
You may also be purchasing a barn, machine shed, detached garage, fencing, pasture, timber, ponds or other improvements.
Take the time to evaluate those features just as carefully as you evaluate the home itself.
An old barn might be beautiful, but does the roof need work? Is existing fencing usable for the animals you’re hoping to have? Does that large outbuilding have electricity? Where exactly are the property lines?
The more land and structures involved, the more important it becomes to understand exactly what is included—and what maintaining it will require.
5. Check Zoning Before Making Big Plans
A few acres can inspire a lot of ideas.
Maybe you want chickens. Or horses. Or a huge garden. Maybe you’d eventually like to build a shop, add another structure or divide a portion of the property.
Before assuming you can do something because you have the space, check the property’s zoning and applicable county requirements.
Madison County’s Zoning Department oversees zoning, subdivision, building permits, conditional uses, floodplain management and other development matters in the county’s unincorporated areas.
If a particular use or future project matters to you, it’s much better to investigate it before you buy.
6. Think About the True Cost of Acreage Living
This is a big one. The purchase price isn’t the only number to consider.
Depending on the property, acreage owners may have additional expenses for things like:
- Well and septic maintenance
- Propane
- Gravel or driveway maintenance
- Snow removal
- Mowing and land maintenance
- Outbuilding repairs
- Fencing
- Equipment
- Tree and brush maintenance
None of these automatically make an acreage expensive to own. In fact, for many people, the lifestyle is absolutely worth it.
But understanding those responsibilities ahead of time can help you choose an acreage that fits both your lifestyle and your budget.
7. Location Still Matters—Even When You’re Looking for Space
You might want several acres just outside Winterset. You might prefer something closer to Earlham, St. Charles, Truro or another Madison County community. Perhaps, we’re looking across all of Central Iowa for your dream home? Or your priority might be staying within an easy commute of the Des Moines metro.
Before starting your search, think about what you want your everyday life to look like.
How far are you comfortable driving for groceries? Where do you work? Do you have children who will be attending school? How close do you want to be to friends and family? Is privacy more important than convenience?
Sometimes the right acreage isn’t the property with the most land. It’s the one with the right combination of home, land and location for your life.
Looking for an Acreage in Central Iowa?
Acreage properties can be some of the most exciting homes to shop for—but they can also come with questions you won’t encounter when buying a traditional home in town.
Ready to see what’s available? Explore our current acreages and homes for sale!