It’s exciting to imagine your dream home, but buying land can be a significant financial and logistical undertaking. You’ll want to make sure you’ve considered all the details before signing on the dotted line. So here are some tips we’ve learned from our experience at Landmark:
Decide on location
Deciding where to buy your land is the most important decision you will make. Location is everything when it comes to buying land, so it’s best to choose a location that suits your lifestyle.
Here are some things you should consider:
- Is there public transport nearby? This can save you money on fuel and parking fees in the long term.
- Are there shops or markets nearby? This will make it easier for you to get what you need without having to drive far away from home for groceries or clothes shopping. If possible, try and find a property that has its own access road so that people don’t have to pass by your house every time they go somewhere else in town!
- Would I like living here after all of this hard work has been done? You’ll want something comfortable enough so that moving doesn’t seem too much like a hassle once everything settles down again after construction ends up being finished tomorrow afternoon instead of today as planned (or maybe even later than expected).
Check the history of the land and its current boundaries
- Check the history and ownership of the land and its current boundaries. To be sure you’re purchasing exactly what you think you are, a quick check with lands commission will confirm if there are any encumbrances on the property or restrictions in place that may affect its use. If it turns out that there’s an easement for a major highway or utility line across your property, for instance, this could complicate things when it comes time to build or sell your future home.
- Ask the seller to show you where their title deed is located relative to your plot of land and also ask them about any boundaries that lie between them and other neighbors (see more tips below).
-If you’re purchasing a plot of land with existing structures, make sure to check their status. If the property is zoned for residential use but has commercial buildings on it, for example, this could affect your ability to build a home or sell the land later on.
Survey the local area
- Check out the local infrastructure.
- Check out the local amenities.
- Check out the local schools and hospitals.
- Find out if there’s commercial transport (trotros or taxis) that runs close to where you are looking to buy land.
Research planning restrictions and check if any apply to your plot
Most plots of land will be subject to some type of planning restriction, especially if they are in a residential area. Planning restrictions are put in place by local councils because they want to ensure that all plots of land are being used appropriately and safely. There are several different types of planning restrictions which you should look out for:
- Building restrictions – these can include height limits, size limits or numbers of dwellings
- Environmental restrictions – these may restrict what types of trees or other plants can be planted on your plot
- Health and safety restrictions – if there are health risks associated with living near your plot (e.g., mines), then you could be required to install measures to reduce those risks
Check out the access road to the site
An access road is a major part of the property and its value, so you should make sure that it has been well maintained. Check whether the road is in good condition and if it’s easy to access by car.
It is also important to check if there are any restrictions on using or building on the road. The seller may be required by their local council or state government to keep specific areas clear for emergency vehicles or other purposes, so be sure you know what these requirements are before signing up for any kind of purchase agreement.
These tips will help you make a more informed decision
When you buy a plot of land, it’s important to do your research before making any decisions. You should check the history of the land, check planning restrictions and access to the land.
Conclusion
Buying a plot of land is a big deal, so it’s important to do your research. You need to know what kind of access you will have to the site and what planning restrictions apply. You also need to consider whether there are any issues with the soil or water table before you buy a piece of land sight unseen. With these tips in mind, you can go into negotiations with confidence and be prepared for whatever comes up!
