Land Buying Mistakes

Since 1998 I have been in the land developing business. My agency coordinates every aspect of the home site development from land clearing to building permits to final inspections. Over those ten plus years I can say "Not much can go wrong that I haven't Witnessed."
Every project that I have coordinated has had it's own little quirks and negative features.

In this blog, I want to point out the three most important details that exist when purchasing land. Always keep these in mind when you begin your search for that piece of the rock. These are details that you alone must seek the answers to;

1.) Always contact your building and zoning department to make certain that your selected lot is a build able lot. Too many times have I been involved with land owners buying property (in some cases have owned that property for years) that is not a buildable lot.

2.) Contact the Power Company that will be providing service to your new home. Give them your parcel identification number (PIN). They may ask for more information. Provide as much as you possibly can. Ask as many questions of them until you get your answer. In some cases, especially out in the country, providing power to your parcel of land can run into the thousands.

3.) If you have selected a piece of land that requires a septic tank and drain field for sewage disposal, BE Certain that you can obtain septic approval. In most cases you can call the health department in your county. They may be able to answer your question if provide them with your parcel ID number, which should include the (section, township and range.) You may contact a septic tank installer in that area and ask them, they might know that answer. If they don't, then you must have a perc test performed on your proposed property. This will help not only in identifying the type of system, but the cost for installation when searching for pricing from septic system installers. The land seller may share in the cost. In every case be certain that you receive a clear answer...No guessing allowed. Without septic approval, you'll have to move on to another parcel of land to purchase.

These three points are the most important factors to concentrate on ahead of buying land. There are many other factors that must be addressed. I will be pointing those out to you in future posts.

For more information you can view my website at http://www.alandadvocate.com/