Empty Lot next to a property

[Eli M.]

Dear BP family,

I was wondering, what are your thoughts about empty lots next to your property, is it a risk factor for your property? Also, how can I find out what's the history of that lot? I am just thinking if they will start building there something, it might destroy my property, or maybe there are underground waters, so they kept that lot vacant? (there're two empty lots on the block).I am about to sign a contract for a property in west Philly (19139) and I see on google maps there's an empty lot adjacent to it, maybe it's not there anymore because the pictures are from August 2019.

Thank you all in advance, 

Eli