Are you dreaming of owning a piece of land where you can build your dream home, start a farm, or escape the hustle and bustle of city life? Vetting the right piece of land is a crucial step in turning your dreams into reality. In this post, we'll provide valuable land selection advice to help you make an informed decision.
1. Define Your Purpose
Before you start searching for land, it's essential to have a clear understanding of your purpose. What do you want? Have you written it down with clear descriptions? Are you looking for a quiet retreat in the countryside, a place to start a sustainable farm, or a site to build your dream home? Your purpose will dictate the type of land you need, its location, and the features it should have. Your vision creates what you are shopping for.
2. Location Matters
Location, Location, Location we know are the keywords in real estate. Location is one of the most critical factors in land selection. Consider the following when choosing a location:
Proximity to Amenities: Think about how close you want to be to essential services like schools, hospitals, grocery stores, and recreational facilities. If you have to work in town, what is the drive costing you a year in time and money if you commute an hour each day? Pencil the cost.
Climate and Weather: Research the local climate and weather patterns to ensure they align with your preferences and the activities you plan to pursue on the land. Water, biology, and geologic forces MUST be considered.
Access and Infrastructure: Check if the land has access to roads, utilities (water, electricity, sewage), and the Internet. The cost of developing these infrastructures can significantly impact your budget. 7 miles down a gravel mountain to a holler with no infrastructure may be cheap land, but remember the pioneers die with the arrows in their backs. Built roads, power, and water are great starts to build further resilience.
Zoning and Regulations: Understand the zoning laws and regulations in the area. They can affect what you can and cannot do on the land. HOA fees, anti-animal/agriculture, and lawn fascist ideology can stop your dreams as soon as you the ink is on your signed offer.
3. Survey the Land
Once you've identified a potential piece of land, consider getting a professional land survey. A survey will provide you with accurate information about the property boundaries, terrain, and any potential issues like flood zones or easements. Know what you are buying. Walk it yourself with a trained professional who is NOT your realtor. They work on commission not on quality. What's at the back property line that is not pictured?
4. Evaluate the Terrain
The terrain of the land can significantly impact its usability and development costs. Consider the following terrain factors:
Topography: Is the land flat, hilly, or sloping? Depending on your vision, goals, and plans, you may prefer one over the other.
Soil Quality: If you plan to garden or farm, soil quality is crucial. Conduct soil tests to determine its suitability for your needs. Get the soil survey information and study the geologic history of the site. What are its limitations and what is its unfair advantage?
Drainage: Ensure that the land has proper drainage to prevent water-related issues like flooding. Flooding is a MAJOR zonal determinant to your success and security. Don't get flushed away.
5. Environmental Considerations Respecting the environment is essential when selecting land. Mother nature bats last. Research any protected areas, wetlands, or endangered species that may be present on or near the property. Understanding the local ecosystem will help you make environmentally responsible choices. Is there something on the site that is being overlooked that makes it under or overvalued? Find the undervalued in your "royal estate". 6. Budget Wisely It's essential to have a clear budget in mind when purchasing land. Remember that the cost of the land itself is just the beginning. You'll also need to budget for permits, utilities, land improvements, and any potential environmental assessments. How are contractors' incomes in your area? Are they over or under for labor costs? Is there building material in your area that can be salvaged or cheaply obtained? 7. Seek Professional Guidance Navigating the complexities of land selection can be challenging. Don't hesitate to seek professional guidance from real estate agents, land surveyors, environmental consultants, and attorneys. Their expertise can help you avoid costly mistakes. Locals typically know the terrain far superior to those moving in. Where should you avoid? The locals know the folk history of the region which many times is the best information you can glean. We cannot survive or thrive alone. 8. Future Planning Think long-term. Consider how your needs and circumstances may change in the future. Will the land meet your requirements in five, ten, or twenty years? If there is a house on site can you build out from the back steps and build better infrastructure than is currently there? 9. Visit Multiple Times Visit the land multiple times and at different times of the day to get a complete sense of its characteristics, surroundings, and potential challenges. Sun up, noon, sundown, rain downpours, droughts if possible. Use Google Earth and view it from as many angles and timelapses as possible.
10. Trust Your Instincts
Finally, trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right about a piece of land, it might be best to keep looking. Finding the perfect parcel of land may take time, but the effort you put into research and selection will be well worth it in the end. Would you buy the first stock ticker you see on CNBC in the morning? If you are trying to win a fishing tournament, you throw the one you catch in the live well and keep fishing till you have only the best of the day to go weigh in. Plan a day route and look at 12 properties in a day if you must in a region you have identified. You may drive by an off-market that is "The One!"
Selecting the right piece of land is a significant decision that can shape your future. By following these land selection tips and doing your due diligence, you'll be one step closer to finding your perfect piece of paradise. Find help if you need it and happy land hunting for your haven!
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