We've had a few instances here with that & you always have 'someone' not able to pay etc for the year. We are talking only $300 to $500 per homeowner for paving work, potholes, etc. Some include the snow removal but mostly you better have a 4 wheel drive.

Dirt would be too 'rustic' for around here.

Yes, it's common around here. Some have road maintenance agreements and others don't. One of the cons is, on a mile long road with 8+ houses, everyone is suppose to kick in $100.00 per year for adding gravel and snow removal, but the owners of the first house usually claim that they should only have to pay $10.00 because they only use the first 1/10th of the road.

yup I would. Lots of those in my market.

Hello Fred,  It is not uncommon in North Idaho for privately maintained roads.  It used to be the 'good ole boy' hand shake get er done attitude.  Now lending institutions are requiring a 'road maintenance agreement'. of sorts, by people on the road.  Those are not always easily signed.  People do not move to North Idaho to be mandated to sign agreement of any type.  Even more so native Idahoin's tend to fight the signatures.   Mark

We have many common element condominiums in my area.  Some have private roads.

I have bought lots of them with all sorts of roads and trails, but will NEVER buy anythign with an hoa.

Roads are easy, government despots are not.

Fred Griffin - as long as buyer is okay with it, I am okay, too.

Since they are aware of the fact that it is not a public road and pros and cons associated with it, they should take the decision.

Personally, me? I will not buy.

I would want to see the written road maintenance agreement...

Your photo looks like a road where I sold a house out near where Lenn Harley lived.  And off the gravel road was a dirt road leading to the house.  I thought about them during Snowzilla.

We have properties on Private Roads in my area. That's no problem as long as the parties understand.

Some people prefer to be on a more private street.  They think the gravel keeps the Sunday drivers out.

Most of our sales are in the city, but every once in a while we'll sell one in the country.  People around here know that they need their 4 X 4s in situations like these.  

We have quite a few communities here with private roads that they maintain themselves. We also have dirt roads in some of the rural areas. Some people like it, others don't, it's a preference. 

Sure I would. It happens out my way all the time. 

I personally hate those.  I see them in some more remote areas.  Not safe in the winter or in some rainy weather (if walking).  And easy to twist your ankle. And, not good for pets, so no thank you!

the safest situation is a public roadway....maintained by the town....private roads are an issue....if someone cannot participate financially, there are problems....

Yes, if that's where the buyer wanted to live! We have areas here with private dirt and sometimes not well-maintained roads. Some mortgage companies want a legal road maintenance agreement and some don't. It's all doable.

Dirt and gravel roads in my area is not uncommon.   I would buy and sell on the same.  Private roads are not common but we do have a few in my area

Not personally, but there are a lot of people who would.  I had some clients who wanted to totally live "off-grid".  But, they found out the bank doesn't like financing homes without power or a year 'round supply of potable water.  

I have lived and currently in a neighborhood where the HOA takes care of the roads but have had good experiences and bad.

I live on a private road and we do need to maintain it through our association. The pros are that we don't have local traffic driving on our road, but the con is we have to contract out for snowplowing and paving, when necessary. I am the President of our association, so for me it requires more work and effort for no pay.  I don't have a problem with dirt or gravel roads, unless you live in an area that rains a lot. 

That would of course depend on the buyer, or seller. Knowing if a road is private or not is key. Is there a road maintenance agreement? Is it noted in the title? 

Some of the latest sales WANT the privacy, which comes with non-maintained roads. 

Beyond HOA-maintained roads, this isn't an issue in the areas I cover.

Reading and understanding the required documents is important for buyers of such properties.  

Yes.  I have lived on such a road.

We don't see to many dirt and gravel roads in the Charlotte metro area--and not in the areas I sell in. In our area if the community is a gated one, the roads immediately become privatized and the responsiblity of the HOA. We have very few gated communities, but they seem to sell fine.

Absolutely!  We live on a private gravel road, which gives us the ultimate in privacy and control.  It is not for everyone, of course, as you have the means to maintain it, whether that means cutting up the tree that has fallen and is blocking it or removing the snow, both of which are things that we have done in the past week.  

It is an eyes wide open decision to make. It would not stop me and yet there are always concerns of someone not paying as Lyn Sims points out.

It is complicated with easement, private road etc.

I would live on but I can drive a back hoe. Pros- privacy, quiet of rural or off beaten path. Cons- in a storm this is a pain, may need 4 wheel drive, Dominos might not deliver

Typically the down side can be addressed with a road maintenance agreement between land owners or those using the road. Collect some funds annually for gravel to be compacted or deep ruts to be filled or in even of wash out by floods...

Our "bug out house" doesn't have any roads— which is exactly the way we want it. 

In a heart beat; it would mean less visitors and probably no neighbor's.

Sure, as long as there was a good private road maintenance agreement in place.  I'm sure there are minor inconveniences, but then again, those are present with government owned roads as well.

Happens often enough around here.  The biggest pain is that some banks will require all the neighbors to sign an affidavit saying they will continue to help maintain the road.

Fred - Are you talking personally, or helping clients. For clients, I would say that I would, as long as the clients understood what they were getting into, and were okay with it.