Home Building Advice Required

I will soon be wending my merry way through the home building process. I would appreciate your thoughts and input on the following....

Wife likes the idea of buying an old run down farmhouse and refurbishing it. I like the idea too but think that it could be a money pit.
We both also like the idea of a new build in the country.

What I would like to know is any things that I should look out for, consider, when going about my business of selecting the right place / piece of land.

Tricks that I can utilise when seeking planning.
Distance from services etc.
What direction should which side of my house face for best value etc.
How big a site should I buy
Can I buy a site with additional agricultural land? - I want to grow trees and I want to keep a pig and chickens, grow veg & fruit etc. Not self sufficiency but good whole food as much as possible and it keeps me fit
Could I buy a 5 acre site to keep 2 * 1 acre for my children - should I put it in their name now?
That sort of thing - all advice AND SUGGESTIONS are very welcome. This is purely an information gathering exercise at the moment so everything is welcome

A lot of questions there to answer.

For a start have a look at
[broken link removed]
and see how you go !

quarterfloun said:

What I would like to know is any things that I should look out for, consider, when going about my business of selecting the right place / piece of land.

Tricks that I can utilise when seeking planning.

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varies by county

Distance from services etc.

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4 pole rule for the esb, 6k rule for eircom and water , depends on county or area .

What direction should which side of my house face for best value etc.

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away from ugliness but not north

How big a site should I buy

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all of Carlow would be nice

Can I buy a site with additional agricultural land? - I want to grow trees and I want to keep a pig and chickens, grow veg & fruit etc. Not self sufficiency but good whole food as much as possible and it keeps me fit

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yes, many farms are sold at auctions in lots of 5-10 acres but make sure there is some building (see planning)

Could I buy a 5 acre site to keep 2 * 1 acre for my children - should I put it in their name now?

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not now, you will confuse the planners which is not good .

That sort of thing - all advice AND SUGGESTIONS are very welcome. This is purely an information gathering exercise at the moment so everything is welcome

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You really need to talk to country people a bit more

Good advice and that last bit is an OBVIOUS "DOH" Gem!