If the thing about having no electricity for a well was important new information, then I would suggest things like:
Learn how a well and an aquifer work, and don't buy a property without knowing what the well is like (type, depth, soundness of casing, what aquifer it is tapping, gallons per minute, and water quality -- the latter including nitrite/nitrate, plus ask local authorities if there are any particulr chemicals such as herbicides etc that are worth testing for in that area). Ask the neighbors how the property's well usually does during droughts. Figure out how the well's likely capacity matches your domestic needs AND your farm needs -- the people who we bought this house from went off to an old farm 15 min away to raise cattle, only to discover that the well could only produce enough daily water *either* for the household *or* for the cattle.
If there is a sump pump in the basement, you need a battery backup for it, and a way to swap in fresh batteries if you get outages longer than a day or two.
Learn how a septic system works, and have the tank opened and inspected before buying (and an opinion given on the likely state of the leachfield), and sock away some money in case it goes toes-up. Then, make
darn sure not to be putting things down the drain that will mess up the system (it is NOT a sewer...).
Ask yourself 'why is this property being sold this time of year' and then try to think of nefarious answers. Like, "it is underwater all winter and spring", or "it is impossible to keep the mile-long laneway plowed of snow during February", or "the mosquitoes and blackflies killed everyone who came to look at the property over the summer"
Find out from the municipal office what the zoning and building regulations are... not so much as how they pertain to you but how they pertain to your neighbors. Then imagine the most obnoxious thing built in the most obnoxious place next to you, and think about whether it would be ok.
Try to be real diligent about finding out about any old buried fuel tanks, old wells, or old outhouses *before* you buy, and have the cost of dealing with them (it may not be your choice, your insurance co may require it) factored into the price. In an older house, have an inspection done to find out about scary old wiring, asbestos-containing textured ceilings, lead paint, major repair bills about to happen, that sort of thing.
Before buying, ask the neighbors how often and how long the power usually goes out; how the roads are in winter; how the roads are in flood season; and how the previous owners (plural) did farming the place. If it didn't work well for other people, it is not your best bet.
Talking to the neighbors will also let you get a sense of how they would be disposed towards you and whatever enterprise it is that you want to get into. I'd really think twice about buying a farm with neighbors thinking what you're planning to raise is silly, pointless, obnoxious, etcetera.
And finally, when you move in, don't change things right away unless there is an absolute vital need. Live with the place for a year before altering odd things that may turn out to play some very important role at some other time of year, like a fence or bushes that block a view but keep the wind sweeping the driveway clear of snow.
Good luck,
Pat
