13 Questions to Ask When Buying Land

Summary

This informative video guide outlines 13 crucial questions to consider before purchasing land, emphasizing the importance of understanding land use, zoning, easements, access, and survey status. It also highlights the significance of rights in interest, water features, environmental concerns, proximity to public utilities, current and neighboring land usage, presence of trails or roads, and potential government actions like eminent domain. The ultimate goal is to ensure buyers make informed decisions and secure the right land for their needs.

Takeaways

• 📝 Determine the intended use for the land before purchasing to ensure it meets your needs.
• 🏘️ Understand the zoning of the land to avoid buying land unsuitable for your intended purpose.
• 📜 Be aware of any easements that may affect your use or access to the property.
• 🚪 Check if there is legal access to the property to avoid future access issues.
• 📐 Ensure the land has been surveyed to know the exact boundaries of your property.
• 🏞️ Be informed about the rights in interest, including any mineral rights, that come with the land.
• 💧 Look for water features on the land as they can significantly increase its value.
• 🌿 Investigate any known environmental defects or issues that might affect the land.
• 🏡 Consider the proximity and availability of public utilities for ease of living or development.
• 👣 Ask about the current and neighboring land uses to understand the surrounding environment.
• 🛣️ Identify if there are existing trails or roads on larger properties for ease of movement.
• ⚖️ Be aware of any potential government actions, such as eminent domain, that could affect the property.

Q & A

What is the primary consideration when deciding to buy land?

The primary consideration is the intended use of the land. Knowing the purpose helps ensure that the land purchased meets the buyer's needs the first time.

Why is it crucial to understand the zoning of the land before buying?

Zoning is crucial because it dictates the allowed uses of the land, such as residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural. Buying land with incorrect zoning can lead to future complications or the inability to use the land as intended.

What is an easement and why should it be considered when buying land?

An easement is a legal right for someone else to use or access a property. It's important because it can affect the property's use and value, and may require the landowner to allow access to others.

Why is access to the property a critical factor in land purchasing?

Access is critical because without legal access, such as a public road or easement, the land may be difficult or impossible to reach, which can severely limit its usability.

What does it mean if a land has been surveyed?

A surveyed land has had its boundaries mapped and documented, providing clear information on the exact area owned, which is essential to avoid disputes or misunderstandings about property lines.

What are 'rights in interest' and why are they important in land transactions?

Rights in interest refer to the ownership of everything above and below the land, including any minerals or resources. It's important to ensure that the land purchase includes all desired rights, especially if the buyer is interested in subsurface resources.

How can the presence of water features on a property affect its value?

Water features like rivers, streams, or lakes can significantly increase the value of the land, making it a more attractive and potentially lucrative investment.

Why is it necessary to know about any environmental defects or issues on the property?

Environmental defects or issues, such as chemical spills or pollutants, can affect the land's usability and value, and may require costly remediation efforts.

What role do public utilities play in the desirability of land for development?

Proximity to public utilities like electricity, gas, and water is important for development, as it can reduce the cost and complexity of bringing services to the property.

How can the current and neighboring land uses impact a buyer's decision?

Current and neighboring land uses can impact noise levels, aesthetics, and the overall suitability of the land for the buyer's intended purpose, such as residential living or farming.

What is the significance of existing trails or roads on a large property?

Existing trails or roads can facilitate easier movement and transportation within the property, which is particularly beneficial for large properties and can enhance their value.

What is eminent domain and why should potential buyers be aware of it?

Eminent domain is the power of the government to take private property for public use upon payment of just compensation. Buyers should be aware of it because it can result in the loss of the property if the government decides it is needed for a public project.

Outlines

00:00

🏞️ Understanding Land Purchase Essentials

This paragraph outlines the fundamental questions one should consider when purchasing land. It emphasizes the importance of knowing the intended use for the land, its zoning status, and the presence of easements. It also highlights the necessity of understanding access rights, land surveys, and the conveyance of rights and interests. The paragraph underscores the significance of water features and environmental concerns, as well as the availability of public utilities and the current and neighboring land uses. It concludes with the importance of being aware of potential government actions, such as eminent domain.

05:01

🛣️ Evaluating Property Access and Utility Considerations

The second paragraph delves into the importance of assessing property access, including the presence of trails or roads for large properties, which facilitate easier movement within the land. It also stresses the need to be aware of the neighbors' land use, as it can significantly impact the suitability of the land for one's intended purpose, especially if it contrasts with one's own residential or commercial plans. The paragraph concludes with a cautionary note on the potential impact of government actions, such as eminent domain, on property ownership, urging buyers to be informed about any such threats before making a purchase.

Keywords

💡Land Use

Land use refers to the specific purpose for which a piece of land is intended or designated. In the context of the video, understanding the intended land use is crucial before making a purchase, as it ensures that the land meets the buyer's needs, such as building a house or starting a farm. The script emphasizes the importance of matching the land's zoning with the intended use to avoid future complications.

💡Zoning

Zoning is a regulatory tool used by local governments to designate the permitted uses of land in various zones. The video highlights the significance of zoning in determining whether a piece of land can be used for residential, commercial, industrial, or other purposes. It also mentions the possibility of changing zoning, which can be a complex process, and advises buyers to ensure the land is initially zoned appropriately for their needs.

💡Easements

An easement is a legal right to use another person's land for a specific purpose, such as a utility line or a walkway. The script explains that easements can affect the use and value of a property, and it's important for potential buyers to be aware of any easements on the land they are considering purchasing, as they may limit what can be done with the property.

💡Property Access

Property access refers to the means by which a property can be legally reached. The video underscores the importance of understanding how one can access the land they intend to buy, whether through public roads, easements, or other means. Lack of legal access could render a property unusable without trespassing, which is a significant concern for potential buyers.

💡Land Survey

A land survey is a process that maps and documents the boundaries of a piece of land. In the video, it is mentioned as a critical step in the buying process to ensure that the buyer knows exactly what land they are purchasing and to avoid disputes over property lines. A survey provides clarity on the land's dimensions and any potential encroachments.

💡Rights in Interest

Rights in interest pertain to the ownership and control of resources above, on, and below the land. The video explains that when buying land, one should ensure that the sale includes not only the surface rights but also the rights to any minerals or resources below the surface, if those are of importance to the buyer. This concept is crucial for understanding the full extent of what is being purchased.

💡Water Features

Water features on a property include rivers, streams, lakes, and wells. The video points out that the presence of water can significantly increase the value of a piece of land, making it an important factor to consider during the buying process. Water sources can provide essential resources for residential or agricultural use, enhancing the land's appeal and utility.

💡Environmental Defects

Environmental defects refer to any negative impacts on the land due to pollutants or contaminants, such as chemical spills or oil leaks. The video advises buyers to be aware of any known environmental issues that could affect the land's usability or require costly remediation, which is a critical consideration for long-term property value and safety.

💡Public Utilities

Public utilities are services such as electricity, gas, and water supply that are provided by local authorities or companies. In the context of the video, the availability of public utilities near a property is important for potential buyers who plan to build or develop the land. Access to utilities can affect the feasibility and cost of development projects.

💡Current Land Use

Current land use describes how the property is being utilized by the current owner. The video script mentions that understanding the current use is important because it can influence the suitability of the land for the buyer's intended purpose. For instance, land used for mining may not be ideal for agricultural activities due to potential contamination.

💡Neighboring Land Use

Neighboring land use involves the activities conducted on the properties adjacent to the one being considered for purchase. The video emphasizes the importance of knowing what the neighbors are doing with their land, as it can impact the buyer's experience and the value of their property, especially if there are incompatible uses such as industrial operations near a residential area.

💡Trails and Roads

Trails and roads on a property refer to the existing paths or routes that allow for movement and transportation within the land. The video points out that for larger properties, having established trails and roads can greatly facilitate access and movement, making the land more usable and potentially more valuable for the buyer.

💡Eminent Domain

Eminent domain is the power of the government to take private property for public use, provided fair compensation is given. The video warns of the potential for eminent domain, which could result in the government taking the land for projects like building a border wall. This is a critical consideration for buyers, as it could affect their property rights and investment.

Highlights

13 important questions to ask before buying land to ensure you're making the right purchase.

Identify the intended use for the land before buying to avoid mismatched expectations.

Check the zoning of the land to ensure it matches your intended use, such as residential, commercial, industrial, etc.

Be aware of the possibility to change zoning, though it may require effort depending on local regulations.

Inquire about easements on the property, which grant legal rights to use or access the land for specific purposes.

Determine how access to the property is achieved, whether through public roads, easements, or other means.

Ensure the land has legal access rights to avoid trespassing issues.

Verify if the land has been surveyed to establish clear boundaries and avoid disputes.

Understand the concept of 'rights in interest' and ensure the land purchase includes all desired rights, such as mineral rights.

Investigate the presence of water features on the land, as they can significantly increase its value.

Assess any known environmental defects or issues that could impact the land's usability or value.

Consider the proximity and availability of public utilities for ease of development and reduced costs.

Evaluate the current land use by the owner and its compatibility with your intended use.

Inquire about neighboring land uses to understand potential impacts on your property.

For large properties, check for existing trails or roads to facilitate easy movement within the land.

Be aware of any potential government actions, such as eminent domain, that could affect land ownership.

The importance of understanding all factors before purchasing land to avoid future legal and financial complications.

Transcripts

so you're interested in buying land well

you come to the right video buying land

is a lot different from buying a house

if you're interested in buying land

there are 13 important questions you

need to ask before you whip out that

checkbook in this video I'll walk you

through all 13 questions so that you're

confident enough to insure that when

you're buying land you're buying the

right land for you that being said let's

get started

[Music]

question number one so what do you want

to use the land for there are a ton of

different uses for land so you really

want to know what you want to use the

land for before you actually buy

something that way you're buying the

right land the first time the second

question you want to know is how is the

land zone is its own residential

commercial industrial or maybe I or

culturally the reason why this is

important is you don't want to buy land

that zoned let's say industrial but you

want to build a house on it which should

be zoned residential so this is pretty

key and it ensures that you're not

wasting your time looking at land that's

not zoned the way you need it to be

however do keep in mind you can

sometimes in some cases change the

zoning of the land that you eventually

own or will buy and that could be

possible depending on the state or city

that you live in but it does take work

so I recommend ensuring that the land

that you're buying initially is zoned

for what you want it to be the third

question you want to ask is are there

any easements on the property an

easement is a legal right for someone

else to use or access someone else's

property an example could be a walkway

to a public beach another example can be

paralyzed that you see going through

acres and acres of land these are all

examples of easements the fourth

question you want to ask before you buy

any land is how is access to the

property achieved is there public access

is there an easement that we just talked

about or is there no legal access at all

this is an extremely important question

you really need to know and understand

how are you actually going to get access

to the property that you own if there is

no public road that it sits beside then

you need an easement from someone else's

property to gain access to this property

if there's no easement and there's no

legal access that means you essentially

have to trespass through someone else's

property to gain yours and that could be

a huge issue if the land you're looking

at has no legal access rights then I

definitely recommend looking at

something else the fifth question you

want to ask is has the land been

surveyed and if so when surveyed land

means essentially that the boundaries of

the land have been mapped and documented

so that the owner knows exactly what

land is

the reason why this is important is you

don't want to be messing with someone

else's land and when you're buying you

want to know exactly what land is yours

the last thing you want to do is buy

land assuming that the boundaries that

you originally thought were yours

are not and that they're actually

someone else's these six and probably

one of the most important questions you

want to ask is will the rights in

interest convey with the sale of the

property so what does rights in interest

actually mean well I'll explain when

you're buying land you probably want to

own everything above it on top of it and

below it but that's not necessarily how

land can be sold for example sometimes

they may only be selling you everything

on top of the wind like the grass trees

and any structures that are part of the

land

however the rights to any gold oil or

other minerals below the surface may

belong to someone else so if those

rights are important to you

make sure the land you want to buy

includes all those rights and interests

the seventh question you want to ask is

is there any water features on the land

and what I mean by that is are there any

rivers streams lakes oh well if there's

water on the land you definitely want to

know about it because water is

essentially a very important asset when

you have water on the property it makes

that land that much more valuable so

it's really important to know ahead of

time if there's any water on the

property you plan on buying the eighth

question you want to ask is are there

any known environmental defects or

issues with the property if there were

any chemical spills oil spills or other

pollutants to the property you

definitely want to know about it

the ninth thing you want to know is are

there any public utilities around this

is a pretty important question if you

plan to build a house or have some type

of structure where you're going to need

access to electricity gas or running

water if there are public utilities

around it makes it a lot easier to bring

those services to your property and it

also makes it a lot cheaper if they're

very far away it could be very expensive

to bring those types of services to the

property that you on the 10th question

you want to ask is what is the current

owner using the land for if the current

owner is using the property has a coal

mine and you want to build a farm it's

probably not the right property for you

so question number 11 adds to that you

want to know what are your neighbors

using their property for if the

neighbors are using the property for an

industrial use and you want to

a residential house on yours and you

didn't know that you're probably going

to regret it because now you're gonna

have a residential house next to you

know a big industrial area which could

be pretty loud so ensure you also ask

that question the twelfth question you

want to ask especially if it's a big

property is are there any trails or

roads on the property this is beneficial

to know because if it's a large property

you want to be able to commute and

travel within it pretty easily so if

there are any trails and roads built in

it it makes your job in your life a lot

easier if that's already there the

thirteenth and last question you want to

ask is are there any potential

government actions against the property

and what I mean by that is is there any

potential for eminent domain in minute

domain essentially means the government

can take your land away as long as they

pay you the fair market value of the

land for those living on our southern

border with Mexico they know all too

much about this given the attempts to

build a border wall land has to be taken

in order to build the wall on that land

so a lot of people are experiencing this

eminent domain threat and it's really

important to know because at any point

if the government deems it necessary to

take your land for whatever public use

it could be an issue that you'll have to

come across so ensure you know ahead of

time if there's any potential like that

being threatened against the land that

you looking at you're looking to buy I

hope you found this video useful if you

did please like and subscribe to the

channel and also click on that

notification button and good luck on

your quest to buy some land