Vacant Land Purchase

[Bert Isidore]

Hey Guys,

I found 9 acres of Vacant land I want to purchase. I have contacted zoning and planning to see if I can do with the land what I want (good there). What other due diligence items should I look into before I purchase?

[Matthew Bailey]

Hey Bert, I'm a land investor so I do this stuff all the time.  Here's what I include in my due diligence:

1. Are the taxes current - call the county and ask
2. Does the property have access to water (city utilities or well) and what's that mean for your intended use
3. Does the property have access to septic/sewer (city utilities or well) and what's that mean for your intended use
4. What is the property zoned and can you use it for whatever you're intending to use it for
5. Is it in an HOA /POA/LOA (Home/property/land owners association) if so, does that add certain usage restrictions and what are the monthly fees
6. Does the property have electric (and does that matter to me)
7. Is the property in a flood plain or wetlands
8. Does the property have access (this is huge), does it have road access - perfect, if not then does it have an easement of some kind that lets you get to it - I'd be very hesitant to buy something without an easement without talking to a lawyer
9. Have you seen it in person? Google earth is great, but you want to get boots on the ground

If you check all of those things, that should be about as much due diligence as you can do.  Each one may be it's own little rabbit hole but that'll get you started!