Thread: Some tips for buyers

If you are planning to purchase a new real estate property then look for these things before purchase.

* Zoning Requirements
Check with local authorities (city, county and state) to determine zoning ordinances and whether you can build the type of home you want before committing to buying the land. A community within 20 minutes of Sacramento city limits, for example, does not permit construction of any structure on parcels smaller than 20 acres. Ask about future zoning, whether there are plans to put in shopping centers or airports, or to change nearby land uses that could also devalue your land.
* Smells and Sounds
Realize that you might be trading exhaust fumes from city buses for the lovely odors produced by pig farms. Some farm animals such as geese and donkeys produce squawks and brays that travel for miles. Horses along country roads drop steaming piles of waste. It’s not like anybody carries along a plastic bag and picks up after their horses.
* Natural Hazards
Obtain a natural hazard disclosure and look for soil problems. Some parts of El Dorado County near the Sierra, for example, have naturally occurring asbestos in the rocks and soil. A disclosure will tell you if the land is a protected habitat, which would prohibit building. Is the area a known fire hazard? Is the fire department supported solely by volunteers? Many owners in the country maintain private ponds for fire emergencies.
* Elevation
If the land is located near hills, how likely is the land to move? Some slab foundations can crack if the land is unstable. Find out if your parcel lies within the path of a potential landslide. For construction near bodies of water, you might want to consider building a raised foundation and make sure to buy flood insurance. If the land was once a swamp, ask neighbors about the condition of their foundations.
* Easements
If access to your land is provided by driving across an adjoining parcel, you should obtain an easement and make sure it is recorded. Find out who maintains the roads and costs for upkeep. What rights do neighbors have to cross your land? Are the boundaries clearly marked? Obtain title insurance, which will disclose easements and restrictive covenants or conditions. You might want to order a survey of the land.