Possibly relocating to Maine from Texas, Buying Land, etc... (Hancock: house, live)

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by Vance Mack

I still go back to the 2016 MERIC COL rankings where Maine is 38th and Texas is 9th.
Texas has no state income tax, no annual vehicle property (excise) tax and as of today they pay $0.25 per gallon less than we do for gas
These are just a few examples of things all Mainers, regardless of location have to pay that Texans do not.

I don't pay income taxes in Maine.

Texas has a title fee of 33, plus motor-vehicle sales tax of 6.25% [on the actual price or 80% of the Standard Presumptive Value -- whichever is the higher amount], and a registration fee.

[svband76]

Originally Posted by thenewtexan

L . but the housing stock is very old,

Ah but that's what gives it charm.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by zalewskimm

Ah but that's what gives it charm.

When you see so many of these homes on the market asking $25k - $40k I think it is usually due to their age.

However there are other reasons, like when a mill closes. We just bought another property in November, if our mill had not closed recently prices here would not be this low.

[LeviDunn]

When I moved to NH five years ago, it won out over a few other states I was considering, including Texas. If cost of living and making lots of money is your primary concern, then I think Texas affords much opportunity. However, like I did five years ago, the OP is considering a number of factors when choosing a place to call home, and New England obviously beat Texas for him.

[HoustonTexasEngineer]

Thanks everyone for the kind words, we are generally looking in or around Penobscot County. We've seen numerous 100+ acre wooded homes private tucked off the roadway for around 100-160k many built in 1850-1900 hahaha. They need work but that will give us something to do. I may end up working from home and commuting all over the US for field assignments.

In Houston where i currently live there is no zoning, I can essentially do whatever I want on my land. Is it the same way in Maine? Say Rural zoned? can I put up fencing and a gate to limit access to my home? Can I cut down trees or dig out a pond if I want to?

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by HoustonTexasEngineer

Thanks everyone for the kind words, we are generally looking in or around Penobscot County. We've seen numerous 100+ acre wooded homes private tucked off the roadway for around 100-160k many built in 1850-1900 hahaha. They need work but that will give us something to do. I may end up working from home and commuting all over the US for field assignments.

In Houston where i currently live there is no zoning, I can essentially do whatever I want on my land. Is it the same way in Maine? Say Rural zoned? can I put up fencing and a gate to limit access to my home? Can I cut down trees or dig out a pond if I want to?

These questions would be better answered by whatever town you choose. The regulations can vary. Mostly they can all be done, but you have to check with the town.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by HoustonTexasEngineer

Thanks everyone for the kind words, we are generally looking in or around Penobscot County. We've seen numerous 100+ acre wooded homes private tucked off the roadway for around 100-160k many built in 1850-1900 hahaha. They need work but that will give us something to do. I may end up working from home and commuting all over the US for field assignments.

In Houston where i currently live there is no zoning, I can essentially do whatever I want on my land. Is it the same way in Maine? Say Rural zoned? can I put up fencing and a gate to limit access to my home? Can I cut down trees or dig out a pond if I want to?

Penobscot County is a nice county, roughly center of Maine. It has roughly 90 townships, 51 are organized and 39 are unorganized.

I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to find 100+ acres with an old farmhouse for less than $160k. It is pretty expensive up in this area.

We bought 150 acres with river frontage. We had to build our house. After the cost of purchasing the land and to build our house we ended up spending right about how much you are looking to spend. Of course our new house is a bit more energy efficient than a house from 1850-1900 would be

In the unorganized townships of Maine there is generally significantly less zoning than there is in the organized townships.

92% of Maine is forested. The state program is called 'Treegrowth'. Land in Treegrowth has much lower taxes.

You should not have any problems with fencing or gates.

If your land is NOT in treegrowth, then you can generally cut down any trees, at any time, as you please.
If your land is in treegrowth, then you may need a plan explaning why you cut down the trees.
If your land is within 250 foot of a river, lake or pond, then it gets way more complicated.

Digging a pond? my god man why? There are many peat bogs already here, we do not need any more.

As 'Vance Mack' likes to point out Maine is expensive.

[LeviDunn]

Yeah, this is not like out west. There is water everywhere here. If you find 100+ acres, good chance you'll already have a small creek or pond on it.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

"If your land is in treegrowth, then you may need a plan explaning why you cut down the trees."

Even if your land is in the state tree growth program you can cut what you want when you want to cut it. If you sell the wood, then you need to notify the state. You don't ask them. You TELL them. It is your land. They are your trees.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

HoustonTexasEngineer,

In Maine we have something called "home rule". Each town makes its own rules. It is confusing for somebody from away. Counties have very little authority as they do in Texas. Our town has no zoning. Some towns have very restrictive zoning. Buyer beware. Our town has no building codes. Want to build a straw bale house? One lady did. That's perfectly OK here. There are no building codes for straw bale houses.

Beware of superstitions. What is a RULE in one town may not exist in the next town over. Find somebody who actually knows before you buy.