Invest in lot at Pueblo, CO

[Yi C.]

I'm looking into investing a vacant lot in Pueblo, CO. Previously I only had experience in California. I want to know if there's any significant different between the two states? Like how the terms were structured, buyer commission, survey, local zoning etc.

[Kerlous Tadres]

Hey! I’ve worked with a lot of out-of-state investors, and moving from California to a market like Pueblo, CO, or even here in Ohio (Columbus, Cleveland, etc.) definitely comes with some differences.

In California, you’re used to escrow companies handling the closing, but in Colorado and Ohio, it’s more common to use a title company or an attorney. Buyer commissions can also vary more with land, while 2.5–3% is typical in CA, land deals in CO or OH sometimes offer lower or flat fees, so always double-check.

Pueblo will likely require a survey if you plan to build, which isn’t always the case in California. The same goes for parts of Ohio, especially in more rural areas. Zoning in California is usually pretty strict, while Pueblo tends to be more flexible, but it’s still important to confirm details with the city or county. Ohio zoning is hyper-local too, so a quick call to the local office can save a lot of headaches.

One more thing to keep in mind is utilities. Lots in CA often have access nearby, but in Pueblo or smaller Ohio towns, you’ll want to confirm availability and costs for electric, sewer, and water.