Author: A4KENYA

By: charles gueli

Considerations for finding and buying land for a new home are mind boggling.  That’s why 80% of the people wanting to build a new home, buy from a developer or builder.  But if you have adventure in your heart, let’s do it.

 

First, think about proximity to the elements of your life that you need to reach (job, family, etc.).  If you’re ending up in an urban area, the land will be more expensive and have more zoning restrictions than a piece in a rural area.

 

Then look into the local zoning to be sure you can build a house without needing to get a variance.  You realtor should have that information.  Once you have your architect in place, he/she will be able to get the other town requirements, which will be reflected on the drawings.  But there are a few other things you might want to check out on your own.

 

The local building department should be able to tell you about any intended development that might have an impact on your desired lot.  Any nearby residential developments in the planning stages; shopping centers; enlarging roads for added traffic?  I would ask the realtor these questions as well, but you’re more likely to get accurate information at the building department.

 

Next, how much land do you want?  Wooded lot or open? Flat or sloping?  Do you want a view?  Maybe watch the sunsets?  Think about the position of the house on the land. 

 

Then check out the location of the closest utility pole. Bringing electricity and telephone lines long distances can become very expensive.

 

Always WALK the lot – at least around the perimeter.  It’s the only way to make sure you don’t have wetlands, excessive grades, or other natural impediments to your intended construction.  These issues will diminish the value of the property.  Don’t overpay.  Comparison shop, like you would for a pair of shoes.

 

Are the people in the local town friendly?  Ask about any history about the area.  Find out what the local taxes are like.  Go around with realtors and see what’s available.  Buy a local newspaper and check comparable prices.  I almost forgot – the internet will probably have some good information you can use.  You might also get some information about what your house will be worth once it’s built.

 

Next, what’s nearby?  Parks, streams, a lake, an ocean, shopping, a library, transportation, a hospital, museums, – anything that might have an impact on your decision to buy.  Transportation usually has a positive impact on the value of any land within walking distance. 

 

If you’re not in a hurry, see the property during various seasons.  It could look very different.  These issues will help you organize your thoughts and prioritize your choices BEFORE buying land.

 

About the Author

Charles Gueli invites you to ask questions and take advantage of the resources on www.continuous-home-improvement-help.com , where guidance, information and support are always available.

(ArticlesBase SC #1066645)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Considerations When Buying Land for Your Next Home

By: Kelly Peterson

The 8 Golden Rules for Buying a Building Lot.  How you can avoid common mistake many people make buying land.

We often have come across someone who has recently purchased their lot and then ask us standard questions like “Where do you think I should build?”  “What about my utilities?”  “How big a house or footprint can I have?” and quite a few others that should be asked or considered prior to purchasing a lot.

Here are our 8 golden rules for buying land:

1. Is it in city limits or in an unincorporated part of the county?  Often times when you are looking at property within city limits, the utilities including sewer are already in place, whereas outside of city limits, often times there is no cable, no power, no sewer, no water, and no driveway.  Each one of these items needs to be addressed.
2. You need to know if the land “percs” for an onsite septic system, what type of septic system will need to be installed, and how much it will cost.  If you are planning on building a 4-bedroom home and the property can only install a 2-bedroom septic system, the property is not worth much.  You need to know this before closing on your purchase.  Within days of making an offer, or prior to making an offer, you should ask the current homeowner if he has any documentation of a perc test and septic design and when that design expires.  Often times you will need to hire someone to conduct a test and make your offer contingent upon this factor.
3. Is there water available?  The biggest mistake you can do is find a great price on a property, find that it percs, but find out later that it will cost tens of thousands of dollars to drill 200 feet down to install a water well.  Although you cannot be 100% sure without an actual drilling, an experienced local drilling company can provide you information of lots nearby and their drilling depths and associated costs.  They usually have standardized bids with variables that include depth that can provide you a general price range of the associated costs.  You also have to watch out for having enough pressure to install a sprinkler system inside your house.  Many municipalities include this in the building code for rural areas where fire trucks may not have easy access.
4. Wetlands – In King County, Washington, and probably a few others, it is required that you have a “Critical Areas Designation” completed by the county.  The county comes out and takes a look at your property and designates certain areas as wetlands and requires setbacks from this area for your building.  This is a complex topic and we suggest that you spend a few hundred dollars before purchasing your property and hiring an expert in the field that will review your potential property and provide valuable feedback.
5. Other Utilities (Power, Phone, Cable, and Internet) – Unless you are planning to go completely wireless with cell phone, satellites, and solar you need to contact the local utility companies and find out about access to your property and the associated costs.  You’d be surprised at how much it can cost to bring power just a few hundred feet to your property or convert the lines to underground.  It’s often good to know if you have access to natural gas or if you will be using a service for propane tanks.  This may also factor into your decision.
6. Setbacks – Every jurisdiction has their own set of rules for setbacks from property lines.  If you are buying a large parcel it may not be as important, but a smaller parcel in the city can exclude you from using the house plan you want based on the setbacks and the foundation footprint you end up with.  Often times, they also may have rules based on the ratio of impervious surface with the overall square footage of house or even the ratio of the square footage of the house with the total square footage of the lot.  Be sure to check your local zoning office to verify you can build the house you want.
7. You see it all the time as you drive around:  Houses are not taking advantage of their view and facing the wrong way simply because of the driveway access and location of the garage.  You are selecting a lot on certain factors, but mostly location.  Did you buy the house because of its amazing view of the mountains to the East, or maybe the water views to the West?  Make sure that the house plan you select maximizes your view and you design the position of the house to take advantage of this, this would include reviewing your driveway access.  If you are in a rural area, you may have to apply for driveway access in a certain location and the county will have to approve the location.
8. Hire a real estate with experience with the type of property you are looking for.

We hope this helps in making your lot purchasing process and you can avoid the many pitfalls people make buying land.

About the Author

Kelly B. Peterson builds custom and spec homes in the greater Seattle area including Whidbey Island.

(ArticlesBase SC #954471)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – The 8 Golden Rules for Buying a Building Lot. How you can avoid common mistake many people make buying land

By: Maria

Some home buyers would rather buy land to build their ideal homes in. In fact, there is something about purchasing vacant parcels that appeals to people who want to construct their homes in their own pace and budget. A few acres can be so enticing and buyers envision themselves constructing the newly-built home of their dreams. There is that longing to build a home the way you exactly want it. And for those who have the money to spare, unimproved vacant lots are ideal and appealing.

Whatever motivates you, purchasing land is surely a whole lot different from buying an already constructed home. There are a few things that need to be discussed when buying land however, such as zoning requirements, land-use, easements, access, and utilities. They are tremendously essential in any land purchase and should be given due consideration. True enough a land acquisition can be a complicated thought process. When purchasing an existing home, someone has already been involved around issues concerning what is permissible on land.

First off, you should find the proper zone and know the plan. Once you have decided on what you want, you must spend some time t the zoning department. Check with your local zoning ordinances to determine the kind of house you want. As soon as you have recognized the particular parcels that you find interesting, zoning actually tells you whether you can have a home on that site.

There is actually a long-range plan for land-use that you should be aware of. There will be numerous areas selected for residential uses, businesses, public use like schools and parks, and agriculture. The zoning department will disclose information and warn you whether you will have a nice neighborhood or not. You certainly do not want to buy a vacant lot close to a maximum-security prison.

While you are presently surveying the area, assess highway congestion and inquire about planned road enhancements. If your ideal parcel is in a city with nicely built houses seated on six-lanes, chances are, those homeowners did not foresee that a road is going to be constructed there when they have bought it decades ago. So in buying land, there is no easy way on how you can predict the change of road plans.

Next step is to figure out if the land is an unlisted acreage or in a recorded subdivision. If your vacant lot is in a subdivision, review the subdivision restrictions. Whether you are going to buy land in rural areas or in the city, these restrictions apply everywhere. You may also look into utility easements as they will not be available for construction. Subdivision restrictions can help you identify your boundaries. These restrictions cover every issue concerning the sort of pets you can have to whether you can have a humongous truck in your driveway.

Determining the costs involved should also be considered in buying land. Financing for unimproved parcels is a huge market. If your vacant lot purchase price is not that eye-poppingly huge, you can take out home equity loans on your existing residence and bask in tax deductions.

About the Author

Land Real Estate in San Diego CA, Land for Sale in Cardiff By The Sea CA and Land for Sale in Carlsbad CA can offer you a whole deal of information about the real estate market. Whether you want to sell your house, buy a property or rent one, getting all the information that you need will give you a great advantage.

(ArticlesBase SC #1526582)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Guide on How to Buy Land

By: Russell Ward

Many years ago I went to auto auction with my local dealer.  There was a sea of cars as far as the eye could see.  So which one do I choose?  Before I arrived, I looked at my budget, determined my family’s needs and narrowed my choice to one mini van make/model.  When I arrived I could have been overwhelmed by the shear volume of vehicles but I wasn’t as I already knew what I was looking for.  Once there, I popped open a few hoods and after some searching I finally decided on my purchase.  The process to make a purchase decision took much time and energy – but it was worth it.  After a month of gathering information I arrived at the auction ready to pull the trigger to buy.  I enjoyed that minivan for years.   I am still grinning about that car.

When it comes to land, many people are kicking the tires.  There is an enormous amount of land can be purchased.  So it can be overwhelming where to start.  Many are at stage where they are doing their research and narrowing down where, when, and for how much they are going to purchase land.  Some will go to a land professional for help.  But many are going to do all the investigative work on their own.  So what are the key types of land investors are looking for?

Retirement – We all have hopes and dreams.  One dream for many is to retire.  But where?  The National Association of Realtors conducted a poll and found that nearly 60% of Baby Boomers hope to move to a rural setting when they retire.  There are nearly 80 million Baby Boomers – this means that almost 48 million people dream about moving to the country.  I bet you have met some of these people or maybe this is you.

What does that mean to those us who are land professionals?  Get ready to supply Boomers with land parcels.  What type of land parcels are they looking for?  Boomers are buying as small as a half acre to hundreds of acres.  It is time for those who represent land to get ready for this influx of activity.  Right now some are at your doorstep determining whether you are the person to work with.

I see myself as a supplier of hopes and dreams.  Many will buy land for retirement but most will never move to the country, but at least they will fulfill a part of their dream.  Wouldn’t you agree dreams drive major purchasing decisions?

Investment – It is an understatement that this has been a challenging year for any increase in value in your investments.  As we know the stock market is mired in much uncertainty.  Where are investors going to turn to rebuild their portfolios?  Some investors will leave the traditional investment grid and scour for low risk hard assets such as land and gold to invest in.

Recreational Use – Some investors will simply want to enjoy their “own slice of heaven” by buying land that they can either hunt, fish, drive their ATV, etc.  They are buying not only to recreate but also for investment.

Many internet land websites have reported from a 42% to 500% increase in visitor traffic.  What does that mean to those of us who are land professionals?  Investors are starting to do their research to determine where to invest to get the best value for their money.  But they are not ready to pull the trigger as yet because investing in land is a new idea.  Once they get comfortable, we are going to see a wave of land purchases that are going to be mind boggling.  Is your business prepared to service this demand?

What type of land are investors searching for?  Hunting land, recreational land, retirement homesite, farmland, timberland, hobby farm, and waterfront lots just to name a few.  There is going to be an amazing convergence on not just one land type but on different types of land all at the same time.  That is why the market will be hot and grow rapidly in the coming years.

Why invest in land?  Historically, land has proven to be a safe investment even during times of market volatility.  Now, investors are reevaluating their investment strategies and are looking for something they can touch and feel.  They also feel they are in more control of the results of their investment compared to the ups and downs of the stock market.

There are many investigating the potential benefits of land investing and some will feel that investing in land can prove to be secure and lucrative.  Also investing in land can provide an alternative to fulfill some of their investment goals that are outside the stock market.

How can we serve you?  We can help you to connect with an affordable parcel of land that will meet your investment needs.  Call 1-877-8VACANT (1-877-882-2268) or email us at info@vacantlandguide.com today to learn more.

“Ninety percent of all millionaires become so through owning real estate.” – Andrew Carnegie

Many millionaires will emerge in the next few years because of vacant land.

About the Author

Russell is the ONLY person in the country training real estate investors how to control or buy raw land at half-price. The time has never been better to learn the inner workings of land.

He is a full-time raw land investor who has been extensively involved in more than 600 land transactions ranging from .25 acre to 500 acres. These real estate deals involved over $9,000,000 in total sales. Russell has produced a six-figure income in real estate, solely generated through vacant land transactions. He has two Master degrees, including a Master’s in Management with an emphasis in entrepreneurship. He resides in Jacksonville, Florida.

Russell has used his insight and experience in vacant land transactions to write the Home Study Course, Vacant Land Guide – How to Buy Vacant Land at Wholesale Prices. His passion for training and educating investors in vacant land real estate is evident in both the content of the Guide and the personal presentations that he puts on for investors. His intent is to equip the investor so that he or she may go out and become an independent and successful vacant land investor.

(ArticlesBase SC #1137397)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Why Is There Interest in Buying Land?

By: Maria

Buying land is surely as valuable as home purchase which is everybody’s dream and ultimate desire. However, those who plan to buy land need to consider more things than just simply finding the perfect dream house for him and his loved ones. Most available lands are under land ordinances set by their respective states and local authorities. Therefore, before finalizing a transaction for land purchase, it is imperative that you get to check first with the local authorities to know the entire scenario about land buying.

What are factors to consider in buying land?

Finding the perfect topography and the appropriate building suited for the land requires not only your gut feeling and initial instinct. You definitely need to hire professionals who are skilled and highly trained in this area of real estate. It is best that you seek advice especially when deciding if the land is truly suitable for your home plans. This is also where the importance of knowing land ordinances comes in since different states have different standards. For instance, some states require construction of building or any form of structure on lands smaller than 20 acres and the like.

Other factors you need to consider are as follows.

• Prone to natural hazards. Find out if the land you are planning to buy is prone to natural calamities like flood or fire. You can do this by securing a natural hazard disclosure which includes sufficient information regarding the background of the venue.
• Accessibility of utilities. This is very important since the convenience and comfort of your daily routine depends mainly on the proper function of your house. For instance, check if you have good access for water supply. You must also ensure that you have enough supply of electricity, a reliable cable and telephone line, among others. Most residents install generators to make sure that they have backup whenever there is utility failure in the place.
• Livestock sounds and smells. Remember that country life is far too different from urban living. If you are getting rid of air pollution caused by fuel gases of big vehicles and cars, in the country you need to expect smells from pig sties or poultry farms. Therefore, you need to be amenable by the smell of livestock wastes and brays or squawks you are bound to hear.

What are the advantages of buying land?

For instance, you are getting a much lower price rate given the trend of land purchase in the real estate industry. Compared to the limited space in urban households or dwelling places, having your own land means more air, space and the luxury to enjoy nature through trees and other foliage. You also have the opportunity to customize your own home according to your preferences and style. Most importantly, nothing beats the fresh air and relaxation you will find in lands located at the countryside.

Buying land is after all a very exciting venture you can invest your time, money and effort into. Finding the perfect land means enjoying a long-term investment you can surely benefit from.

About the Author

To know more about buying land, you can check Phoenix Homes for Sale. Find other real estate ideas and tips by visiting Residential Real Estate in Phoenix AZ.

(ArticlesBase SC #1234038)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Facts about Buying Land – The Tips to Making a Remarkable Purchase

By: Melanie Click

When buying land to build a house on, you need to first look at your ideal location, but be sure it is truly ideal. If you intend to stay there until the children are grown up, does it have good educational and sporting facilities nearby? If you don’t want your children to attend boarding school, then it makes no sense to buy a block of land in the outback, even it you do love it there.

Make a list of all the facilities that you need both now and in the future. Transport and proximity to the workplace may be important – only you can decide. If you intend to stay there until the children are grown up, does it have good educational and sporting facilities nearby? If you don’t want your children to attend boarding school, then it makes no sense to buy a block of land in the outback, even it you do love it there. You also need to look at other amenities such as doctors and dentists. Find out if the land has electricity, water and sewerage connected and how much it will cost, if not. If there is no telephone, find out if there is mobile coverage in the area.

Another thing that is important is the slope of the land. Steep means expense when building. It can also make access awkward for construction machinery, as well as yourself. What about flood zones? Being in a flood zone will increase your insurance at the least. You also need to check out building and zoning regulations – and whether any trees can be removed.

About the Author

A convenient option is to have both a house and land package. Examples include Cranbourne house and land and house and land packages Geelong. There are many packages for house and land Victoria.

(ArticlesBase SC #664329)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – What to Look for When Buying Land