13 Questions to Ask When Buying Land

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Published 2020-03-28
Buying land and want to know what questions to ask? Then this video is for you!

In this video, I highlight and review 13 very important questions everyone should ask when buying land anywhere in the U.S.
No matter if you're buying land in California, buying land in Colorado, buying land in Texas, buying land in Florida, or any other state.

Buying land is nothing like buying a house and you'll need to understand the important differences between the two or you'll end up making a huge financial mistake.

Helpful Resources:
Environmental hazards search: enviro.epa.gov/ - also check your state’s environmental website.
Easement search: check your local assessor’s office website to start
Google earth or google maps: use this to get a wide overhead view of the land you’re considering to buy to spot features, characteristics, or issues faster than on foot.
Realtors: Find a local realtor that focuses on buying and selling land. A realtor who mainly focuses on buying and selling houses will likely not be very helpful.

Shameless Plug:
If you're thinking about starting a business, I run a software company called Projection Genie that helps aspiring entrepreneurs simulate and predict the financial success of new business ideas before launching them. Check it out here:
www.projectiongenie.com/



Attribution:
Easement Photo: Pagelast76 / CC BY-SA (creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

All Comments (21)
  • 1. What do you want to use land for? 2. How is it zoned? 3. Are there any easements on the property? 4. How is access to the property achieved? 5. Has the land been professionally surveyed? 6. Will all the rights and interests convey with the sale of the property? 7. Are there any water features on the land? 8. Are there any known environmental defects or issues with the property? 9. Are there any public utilities around? 10. What is the current owner using the land for? 11. What are neighbors using the property for? 12. Are there any trails or roads on the property? 13. Are there any potential government actions against the property?
  • @wayneparker9331
    As a long-time practicing attorney who has had to deal with real property issues, I found your video to be a great starting point for the non-lawyers out there contemplating any real property purchase. It's the exact same advice that I would give as an initial matter.
  • @yotube123454321
    All info. No fluff. This is exactly how these kinds of videos should be edited. Thanks so much!
  • @cipher2
    thank you for cutting the bs and just dropping the knowledge, much love!
  • Thanks for producing this video. These are certainly good questions. As an individual that has researched and purchased land over the last 15 years, I offer a few more questions: 1. Is there a POA (Property Owners Association) related to the land? Much like a HOA (Home Owners Association), the POA will likely have annual dues and restrictions placed on the subject parcels. 2. Are there water rights attached to the land AND / OR can you purchase and append water rights to the land? In Eastern Washington, we have a desert-like climate. Growers require irrigation, either from canals or wells. In the case of canals, the land owner needs to have water rights (measured in acres) in terms of the quantity of water that can be lifted from a canal for irrigation purposes. 3. Has any easement on the land been improved by a neighbor with the intention of claiming Adverse Possession? I emerged from a legal battle with a neighbor that had built into an easement that was beneficial to me and a burden to him. 4. Does the land have geographic features that will be a challenge? Example: low areas may experience seasonal water flow. This could result in the necessity for bridges, culverts and / or a high-clearance vehicle. 5. What are the anticipated future property taxes? Although the taxes may be low now, if there are plans to increase the size of local government (thinking of government schools), the property taxes may rise astronomically. Case in point -- one of my parcels experienced a 40% tax increase in a single year as a means to pay for one additional line item related to government schools.
  • @brachaw6060
    Thank you so much for this cut and dry knowledge! This was just what I was needing.
  • @tammylee6141
    Great information, definitely subscribing. Love how you just get to the point.
  • @DannySeeum
    For resources and links to help you get answers to some of these questions, check out the description section of this video. A good land focused realtor should be able to help you find answers to these questions too, so don't hire just any realtor, get one who focuses on the buying and selling of land.
  • Very professional, factual,I needed this information thanks so much 👍😁
  • @earthling01
    I subscribed because you are to the point, concise, and informative, thank you!
  • Thanks for this very informative and professional video presentation. Just the info I need, it's brief yet packed with important questions to ask.
  • @hayleec1556
    Great questions to ask! My husband and I have just gotten started with looking to buy land.
  • @ela111961
    Thank you for posting. Straight Questions, Straight Answers. No lengthy introduction. Worth my time watching from start to finish. Been looking for land on residential zone for two months now. Online photos look good, when I drove there they are 45 degree up hill or very steep downhill. Google earth online map will show big Boulder stone that graders need to use dynamite but there are neighbors nearby. You cannot grade the land without hiring civil engineer plan that is approved by the city with permit. If the seller has mortgage loan unpaid on that lot, you better do your homework.
  • Thank you so much for this information that I never even considered to be potentially huge issues. I will save this video and look at it again before buying anything
  • @georgeb7507
    Very well done. Your video was brief and succinct with verbiage that was actually written out. You set the standard for other real estate videos.
  • @Karen-cr2hw
    This video was very helpful and straight to the point. Thank you so much!!!
  • @luckylefthands
    This might be one of the best videos on YOUTUBE...Danny you were straight to the point and you gave great explanations and examples that were easy to understand.
  • @lmeadows8276
    Thank you for explaining In simple terms that I understand and for being succinct. Excellent video.
  • @SubjectDelta9
    EXCELLENT VIDEO! Thank you so very much for the invaluable information provided so clearly and concisely. THE BEST information I've got on the Subject. With Gratitude, THANK YOU!!!