Swampy vacant land in Alaska

[Angela Hollis]

I need advice on whether this deal is worth it. I can get a 3 acre lot for $9600 where it is tax assessed at $27,000. There's a 10 acre lot down the street selling for $150k but it does have quite a bit of high spots. Vacant land sells pretty high up here in this area. at least $10,000 to $20,000 an acre. My hesitation is that it is slightly swampy. Does anybody know if water wells and septic tanks are able to be installed on that kind of land? It's in a neighborhood but no houses on either side, only two lots down where it's higher. It's a great location with beautiful views only 5 miles from town. Electric and gas are nearby, but most properties in that area have well and septic. And that's the first question an end buyer will ask. I want to flip it for double what I pay and figured that there's a buyer for everything. I can sell it low enough that someone could just fill parts of it in with dirt. I need to make this decision soon, it's only my second flip deal so of course I get that questionable feeling especially with so much money but the potential to double it makes me want to go for it. Please help with any advice you might have.

[Greg Scully]

They can put a raised septic if needed.  They are substantially more expensive.  The well is a crap shoot...asking the neighbors about their well depth may give you some indication.  I'm out here on Lazy Mountain and it's all over the place for wells.  One neighbor is 40 ft, I'm 240, and at least one property has one dry well and second poor well, so even the neighbors success has limited value. All those contingencies a potential buyer will be looking at too.  If there is a substantial value to lot in terms of view, privacy, etc maybe somebody with deeper pockets will take the risk.