15 Super Easy Questions to Ask When Buying Land

Ask these 15 questions when buying land, they will save you money and headaches!
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Land transactions aren’t as complicated as other real estate purchases. It is, and should always be, an easy process! So simple that anyone is able to invest! However, there are important things you need to know and look for when getting ready to buy land. Be sure to ask the seller these questions before moving forward with any land purchase, they’ll cover what you need to know and things to look for before you buy!

1. Does the property have a clear chain of title?
In other words, do you know who the real seller is? Ask the seller to send you a copy of the deed. To check the property’s title chain, use the APN and confirm in county records. You can always use a title company, but these can be expensive.

2. Are there any liens or back taxes on the property?
Don’t overlook this! You could find a property that you love, but has hundreds or maybe thousands of dollars owed on it! And as the new owner, you are responsible for paying these debts!

3. Is the property part of an HOA or POA?
It’s important to determine if the property is in an HOA/POA. HOAs and POAs usually have an annual fee and their own restrictions to be aware of.

4. How is the property zoned?
What construction is possible on the land? Is the property agricultural, residential or commercial? It's best to contact the county's Planning and Zoning Department directly.

5. What can you do with the land?
The only limits you face are HOA/POA and zoning restrictions. The most common classifications of vacant land are recreational, residential and undeveloped.

6. Are utilities available to the property?
It's uncommon for vacant properties to have utilities. If the property is in an urban area, it may have access to utilities but there will be a fee for connecting them. If the property is off-grid, you can always tap into natural resources with solar panels and rainwater.

7. What are the annual property taxes?
Land is inexpensive to hold long-term because there's nothing on it! It’s worth noting that even if you do nothing to the property (no visits or any activities), you’re still responsible for property taxes. If you plan on holding a property as part of a long-term strategy, don’t forget to ask about the taxes!

8. Are there any common facilities or property?
It's rare, but sometimes there are common facilities that owners need to co-manage. This will usually only be the case in developed areas. If applicable, you need to know how the commonalities will be handled.

9. How is the property accessed?
Rural properties are great, but sometimes, they don't have legal road access. Legal access means the path to the property is public. Any legal access will be described in the deed, or can be confirmed with the county.

10. Are any portions of the parcel designated as wetlands?
Wetlands are either seasonally or permanently saturated with water. Not ideal for building or a variety of other activities that require a solid ground. In most wetlands you can’t alter the environment at all, and may even be for public use.

11. What is the size and shape of the parcel?
When you browse for land, chances are you have a property goal in mind. You need to know what size you can build, or how much space you have to roam. Ask for size, shape, topography, slope, and elevation to get a full understanding of the property.

12. Is the land under any conservation easements?
A conservation easement is a legal restriction placed on a piece of property to protect its resources. They allow owners to retain many private property rights and are good for the environment but can limit your uses.

13. Do the mineral, timber and water rights convey with the sale?
Natural rights to the land are often owned separate from the land itself.

14. Are there any water features on the property?
This is more of a nice to have and may increase the property value. A water feature can refer to any body of water that already exists on the property.

15. What’s going on with nearby properties?
Ask yourself, if I had to sell this property again in a year, is it desirable to others? Whether we like it or not, what our neighbors are doing affects the value of our property.

There you have it! Before you seal the deal, ask these 15 questions to save yourself headache and heartbreak on your next land transaction. Learn more at www.compasslandusa.com.
Asking these questions will make sure you get the property you're hoping for, and not get stuck with a nightmare lot you'll have trouble selling later.

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Видео 15 Super Easy Questions to Ask When Buying Land канала Compass Land USA