Things to Consider When Buying Vacant Land
For many, buying a piece of land and then designing and building their home on it is the ultimate dream. But buyer beware! Buying a piece of land is a lot more complicated than buying a home that is already built.
Although concerns may differ depending on your local laws, geography, size of lot and weather, here are a few items to investigate when considering a vacant land purchase:
- Zoning. Probably the first question should be about the zoning; is the lot zoned for the type of use you envision? For instance, if you want to build a house and keep a horse on the property is it zoned for horses, and if so, how many? Is it zoned for mixed use, commercial or agricultural? Can you build more than one unit on the property? Important to know not only for your use, but for the lots that surround the property.
- Utilities. Are there utilities at the front of the property? What utilities are available? Is there city sewer that you can connect to, or will you need a septic tank? Has a Perc test been completed? Is there city gas, or will you need propane? Is there city water, or will you have to dig a well? Bringing utilities to a property can be very expensive, so this is a very important part of your consideration and a major factor in determining a reasonable price for the purchase.
- Set-Back and Height Requirements and Restrictions. Most counties will have certain requirements for how close a structure can be to the front side and back of the lot lines. This is important, especially on a small city lot, as it will be a factor in determining the size and footprint of your foundation. It is also important to know how high you can build, and how high your neighbors can build.
- Easements and Encroachments. Are there any recorded or non-recorded easements? Does the guy next door have to drive over the property you hope to buy in order to reach his garage? Does the water or other utility company have an easement? Does your neighbor’s fence actually run across the property that will be yours?
- Parcels. It is also important to determine if more than one parcel is included in the sale and whether or not any of them can be split, if desired.
- Restrictions. Are there any types of restrictions that go along with the property? For instance, is there a protected Indian monument that cannot be disturbed, or is there a protected species or plant?
- Liens and Liabilities. Before buying it is important to determine if there are any liens or tax liabilities and if so, how those will be paid in order to provide you with clear title.
- Maintenance Fees. Are there any road or common area maintenance fees?
- Site Suitability. And finally, how suitable is the lot for the type of structure you hope to build? This may require an evaluation by a soils engineer. Is the property in a flood plain or high risk fire or earthquake zone?
For more information about purchasing vacant land in San Diego County, just give me a call.
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