Considering purchasing land property, what Q's to ask the realtor?

[BWVDenise]

OK I have absolutely no experience in this, so I come to you for advise. I don't plan on being able to build a house on the property for about 8 years. It is on a lake and we like the area. Even if we change our minds down the road some, I think we would be able to sell it at a profit (it is a growing area). Are there time restrictions on how long to build in some areas/states? I guess that would be one of my Q's for the realtor! LOL! What else do I need to know/ask?

 

[mtblujeans]

Ask about any easements, either to or from your property or across your property. We bought empty land years ago that showed a "farm easement" that anyone could use to get to another piece of property. I checked into it myself and the easement had expired 10 years previous and no one had bothered to remove it from the plat map or title.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

One thing that may not be important to you but will be important to the next person considering buying the land is if the land will pass a perk test. You can call a local surveyor and have him run the test for you.

Without it, you won't be able to flush toilets....

 

[Kae]

Your question is a very good one. And if there is any square footage requirements & other restrictions in the area. the setbacks on the property.

Kae

 

[goofyforlife]

If it's on a lake you need to know the flood plain......

Ask it there are any building covenants also...(like how large of a house can be built, achitecture, etc....)

 

[canwegosoon]

You must go to you planning and zoning boards and look at the master plan maps...there are frequently paper roads, and other long term plans for areas, that you may or may not know about. You should specifically ask about future redistricting, future improvement plans, commerical corriords, etc. An agent I would ask about past uses of the land(was it farming..pesticides), what previous owners did with the land(did they store things on it...hazardous materials, flood plains, orther soil issues in the area. Also ask about easments, and if the lot is subdivideable(if it is you migh want to build on the better 1/2, but still have the possibility of splitting the land(for a child or other family member). Other thing I would like to know is about water and utilities, how far is the closest away. Optional thing is about wild anamials...you might want to know if you have cyotetes in the area or an excessive population of deer(and mice). Good Luck.

 

[canwegosoon]

Also you might want to find out about filing plans to build in the future...you might want to submit and renew your application so that you are in under earlier regualations...they could always put a moritum on building(espically aroung a lake). Also you should be very intrested in the current movement to claim imment domanin on private lands for non-public works(ie. New Loundon CT)

You might also have to ask if there is certain materials you have to build with, and if there is good truckable roads for building supplies. I can think of parts of the adriondaks that have to wait for a lake to freeze to get building materials in for a house or boated over. They also have restrictions on what color your buildings can be.

You might also want to ask about rocks or boluders...growing up on LI I would have never thought to ask about this...but it is expensive and some times impossible to dig basements.

I looked at land on Long Lake...but found out one of my boys is alergic to black fly...so no Long Lake!!!

 

[brerrabbit]

Some one else mentioned it but it would be a good idea to find out if there are restrictions on what and when you build. An example would be that on Galveston Island near where I live there are small "towns" Jamaca Beach being one. There is a restriction that once you break ground to build you have 12 months to complete the project. You can own a vacant lot forever but once you do build it has to be finished in 12 months. This is an issue simply because for years in this part of Texas people would buy lots on or near the beach and then spend the next ten years of their lives building something when they could. They would spend weekends, holidays and vacations sort of camping there while they built. Once the area was incorporated by Jamaca Beach the rule of one year went into effect and cost a lot of people money. Look into any town or city or economic development group that might want to incorporate your property in the future. Once they do you become subject to all their rules and regulations.

 

[BWVDenise]

Wow, thanks guys!! I'm going to make a lot of notes and write out questions based on your information and tomorrow I'll call the realtor and start asking! Thank you all so much.