My family moved to eastern PA about 50 years ago and bought over 100 acres which they still have (I live nearby with my gf in a house she already owned).

Here's what I can tell you before you start with many involving if you're building a house versus buying land with an existing home.

1.) Look at the potential land's zoning AND what neighboring land is zoned for. Lots of people get surprised about what they can or can't do on their land or something their neighbor starts doing or building that they didn't know was legal to do.

2.) Try to get at least 10 acres of cropland or forest to qualify for one of the Act 319 Clean and Green programs that gives you a real estate tax discount once enrolled for not subdividing and developing the land.

3.) Check for the presence of steep slopes, wetlands and streams to be crossed that might make getting a driveway and homesite built very difficult.

4.) Check that both the property dimensions and property line setbacks combined with issues from #3 don't make building difficult.

5.) The septic system, sand mound or standard, that will be needed and that it's legally far enough away from the well to be drilled. And can the well driller rig get to the spot because it's big. The septic system site will need to be perced too.

6.) Driveway access will need a highway occupancy permit from the state or township where you build. Blind curves and steep banks can be a problem without expensive excavation. This one got me actually.

7.) Does the township have an ordinance on amount of tree cover that can be cleared?

8.) Proper E&S controls that meet your county conservation district's requirements for disturbing earth beyond a minimum number of square feet.

9.) Is there electric very close to the homesite? If not, power companies tend to charge for additional pole spans to get to where you're building.

10.) Get to know your township code enforcement/building inspector well in a positive way and don't try to get around inspections or do dumb things like burning debris if not allowed.

11.) When buying land, do your research on property line issues that neighbor aren't disputing lines or squatting on some of it. Also locals may have hunted deer from stands on it for years and might cause problems if handled the wrong way.

12.) Make sure land has deeded, usable frontage on a public road. No landlocked parcels and both easements over others' land and shared private drives suck. Maintenance squabbles suck.

13.) Especially in rural areas, you can be seen as the new guy and potential troublemaker if you stir the pot down at the township complaining about others. Being polite and helpful to neighbors help while mostly minding your own business otherwise. Also if you happen to be a Democrat putting out political signs supporting liberal policies or Democratic candidates is certainly your right but sure won't be helpful if living on a particularly Trumpy back road. Might be advisable to keep your politics confidential in the voting booth.

Good luck. I've lived most of my life in more rural places with acreage and have loved it. One 10 year stretch I lived in a decent-sized town and it wasn't nearly as enjoyable.

Edit: about trespassers. Not normally a huge problem so long as you're sure of your property lines; properly post with signs and purple paint; and be out and about regularly on the property. Game cameras can be helpful too.

Edit #2: vegetation management is usually covered by township ordinance. Easiest thing to do is lease any farmland to a decent farmer with low rent in exchange for keeping all ag areas on the property neat. Everything that's woods can just be left as-is. Nothing to worry about there either

Just don't convert land to endless amounts of lawn because that's when grass/weed height ordinances get involved. Keep a tiny yard with everything else farmed or in woods and you're golden.