10 Tips for Buying Land

[thechristiancounselor]

I watched about 6 videos before this one because I am considering buying some rural property. This was by far the best; with the most helpful information.

[jackjones]

What happened to the days when you could largely live the life you see fit on your own land as long as you didn't threaten public safety!? Wow, this was eye opening.

[SriRam-yqid]

Amazing Video Phil!
Wetlands is something I learned new from your video today. Thank you!

1. Terrain (better to see it before buying)
2. Cleared vs. Tree'd (land with trees)
3. Wetlands (characteristic vegetation) check Inventory Mapper
4. Flood Zone - FEMA flood zone map
5. County maintained road access
6. Utilities - Electricity Water and Sewer
7. Cell Phone Service (Internet connection)
8. Neighbors
9. Endangered species
10. Zoning (is it Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Agriculture land).

[wally]

What makes me angry is the cost of permits and the rise of taxes when improvements are done. What kind of incentive is that to build or make improvements when you know your taxes will go up.

[bkfromtherockies]

I literally went through every point of this video while I was in the process for buying a land lot. I'd add one other point; try not to rush the buying process! I went through two lots before I bought my land because of issues with zoning, terrain, wetlands, you name it! And once you find the area or county with laws and land your like, you still have to negotiate the price. Therefore, I recommend any buyer out there to give yourself more time to make the correct purchase for yourself.

[daniel_diaz]

The part about the government owning the land pisses me off.

[thomasdehart]

Phil, Tip 10.5 should be Restrictive Covenants.

Even if you are able to research and understand the zoning restrictions in place by the county or municipality, potential land buyers need to be aware that deeds can (and oftentimes do) have baked in restrictive covenants.

What is a restrictive covenant? To put it simply, it is anything that the developer who subdivided the land felt might damage the property value of the neighboring parcels. Even if it's not a formal subdivision, there can be restrictions in place from when a land owner of a large tract of land broke off and sold smaller portion of their land to an outside buyer.

The biggest targets of restrictive covenants will be mobile homes, tents, campers, and any sort of dwelling that doesn't fit the mold of what the prior land owner had in mind. However, they can be incredibly specific as well. I'm currently shopping a contract for a lot where the developer requires homes to have a minimum of 65% of their exterior building material as stone, brick or masonry. Even though the land would be perfectly suited for a log cabin, it would be impossible to build without risking a lawsuit. I'm sure that the restrictions only get more and more antagonizing as the subdivision gets pricier, nicer, and newer.

Interestingly, since the county and municipality aren't setting these rules, the local government will have no qualms with issuing permits (that you of course paid for), only to have your neighbors file an injunction on your build site should the structure not conform to the specifications laid out in the deed. I live and work in Tennessee where the courts are not favorably disposed towards restrictive covenants, but it could take a mountain of legal fees to clarify or establish your right to build.

Overall, restrictive covenants are a landmine that can be very easy to overlook or underestimate.

Love your work Phil, have watched many of your videos 2-3 times. Keep sending us signal!

[Shawn-wypb]

Yes, owning your own property is just a dream, if you don’t believe me don’t pay your property taxes and you will find out real soon who really owns it !

[grbloved]

Omg! I can’t even tell you how blessed I felt when I lost a bid on a house recently - this area in Texas had a frog protection - you can’t even dig a hole in your backyard without hoa permission! Insane

[herefishyfishy]

10. More on zoning, does it come with the geological rights. In other words, make sure you own what's under the surface of your land.

[angrycatowner]

Tip #11: Property Tax Rate. How much will it cost every year?

[tanrezaei]

As an investor who owns a bunch of land I have to say this is one of the best videos I have ever watched on the topic. Excellent work.

[williamrichards]

Another thing to check: Earthquake fault lines. If there are any, the state will likely require a setback and this may make your land unbuildable. This is especially important in Southern California as there are MANY fault lines.

[Galen-]

My husband's family owned 62 acres they wanted to sell and a running hose from a nearby house classified the land as wetland! They had to have it thoroughly inspected by bureaucrats. THEN, they had to get an archaeologist to make sure it wasn't an ancient burial ground! THEN, they had to fight the hose people and their neighbors who had put fences up to make their yards bigger by using the family's land. It was a mess. It took three years to unravel everything and a lot of money and headaches to sell their own land.

[Donmecca]

Thanks for making this video. I’m looking to buy land in Shelton Washington, and I just emailed the realtor all of your questions & now she’s trying to void a few of the questions & now telling me she can get the seller to knock 2k off the price. The original price is 7k. I’m not making a move until she answer my questions.

[kenyonbissett]

Beware of the term “septic approved”, that could be years ago, and it has to be reapproved. In Some places septic tests are only done a few months of the year meaning your dream home just got 9 months added onto the construction time.

Also check easements and road planning. Road expansion can put you right next to the road instead of that beautiful front yard you in vision. A major electric ⚡️ line upgrade/expansion went through some side yards in our community killing the resale value. It happened about 2 years after they built. If they had checked the utility plans for the area they wouldn’t have bought the land and built custom homes as the expansion was planned and in process when they bought.

Also in Maryland, building within 1000 ft of water sets off environmental impact, upgraded septic (+10, 000), and all kinds of restrictions. Even a dry creek can set off the restrictions. You can not cut a tree greater than 8”. So overly mature trees are now falling on homes and cars, cuz you can’t cut them down even for safety. My car was totaled and the neighbor down street lost his garage, 2 cars and 1/2 his house. The unintended consequences of a law can be devastating.

[matthewronsson]

You're so correct, there are no (very few) actual land owners, just tenants paying their tribute (taxes) to their (land) Lords, who will send his Sheriff's after you, if you do not or can not pay.


If not, they will auction it off and keep ALL of the proceeds, no matter what the compelling, heartbreaking reasons may be, a disabled war Veteran or widow and no matter that you've dutifully paid the rent, in full, for the past 50 years straight. They will sell the property and keep all of it, even if it vastly outstrips the amount of tribute owed.


We are a nation of peasants, living on the land at our Lord's leisure, very much like feudal Europe. Oh, they can change the terms, conditions and/or amounts owed at any time.


It is a form of slavery just as income taxes are: give the slave master his cut, or he will send him armed men after you, to shake you down for even more than originally owed thought "fines" (more taxes), fees (more taxes) and "costs" (even more taxes).

[MrDavePed]

Check how old the schools are. If they are due for replacement you can expect a large increase in your property taxes. Particularly if the land is waterfront.

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[michaelmattson]

In 1975 Minnesota passed a bill that they own all mineral rights under your land. They put the vote notice in the Friday afternoon paper . Nobody saw it to vote no on the bill. So it was passed.

[leonardogamon]

This is the best advise that I've received about land in my time doing Real Estate business!!!!