Buying real estate can be complicated business. Regardless of the type of property you are buying, it is a legal transaction and one that should not be entered into lightly. Purchasing a rural property has considerations that an urban property may not have. Here are four tips for making sure the process goes smoothly.

Hire A Buyer's Agent

When someone is selling a property, they usually list it with a real estate agent because it can be so complicated. Their real estate agent represents them, the seller. They will have their client's best interest at heart, not a prospective purchaser. They want to make a sale. You need to have your own advocate, so spend the money on retaining a buyer's agent. They may save you thousands of dollars and heartache.

Carefully Consider The Location

Many people are interested in rural properties because they have determined that is the lifestyle they want to live. But as the population grows in most areas, urban sprawl is encroaching on rural areas. A rural property that is still close to town may be a ripe candidate for future expansion. You don't want to purchase a rural property without first doing a lot of research about the neighboring properties. If everyone in the general vicinity is selling, there's probably a good reason. The last thing you want to do is buy a rural property that is surrounded by other properties that are being swallowed up for a new subdivision or industrial zoning.

Clarify Your Goals

If your ideal life is to live off-grid and start a small hobby farm, you need to ensure any properties you are interested in will support your goals. Municipal zoning laws may not allow you to do what you want to do on a piece of land. Check and double-check that your land use goals are in alignment with the local laws governing the parcel.

Consider Your Finances

If you are interested in buying a property with no improvements, just the raw land, you're going to need far more money than if you were buying an existing home. This is because a bank usually won't provide 100 percent financing on just land. Oftentimes, they will require a large down payment. Occasionally, they won't finance it at all. Make sure you thoroughly discuss your financing options with your lender before you start looking for properties. Let them know your plans so they can accurately tell you what, if anything, they can do for you.