When an individual is contemplating purchasing some land, there are many things that he will need to take into consideration.
Finding the right land is probably the most difficult and involved part of the process.
Several criteria exist that should be carefully considered in pursuing this quest.
Besides the finding of the land, the individual will need to understand something about negotiating and closing on land as well.
Finding the Best Land Among the many criteria for finding the best piece of land are location and views, access, topography, tree cover and surface water, and utilities.
Location is perhaps the most key consideration in finding good land.
Someone who is looking to purchase land for investment purposes wants the property to go up in price over a given period of time.
That individual should take care not to buy a piece of land somewhere that has already massively appreciated in value.
There should either be some possible future development or a draw nearby for the land to have the possibility of significantly appreciating.
Good locations are those that feature either the ocean, a lake, or perhaps a National Forest or Park next to them.
Alternatively, such locations might be a short drive to a city or a ski resort.
Having a nice view from the land is another smart consideration, since most people would rather have a window view of a gorgeous blue lake or snow capped mountain than a parking lot or wall.
Good access to a property is similarly key.
The route that leads to the property is important.
One must contemplate what the roads' conditions will be like in the depths of winter, when it is snowing or icy.
All land considered should have an easement or guaranteed road that leads there.
Although land with a great unobstructed view is helpful to have, these views often come from the side of a steep hill or even mountain.
It's topography could be simply too steep on which to build.
Land that can not be built on with an affordable budget has very little value.
A flat enough site to build on is critical in any prospective piece of land.
Tree cover and surface water are two other valuable attributes to consider in a piece of land.
Minimally a few trees and bushes tend to boost a piece of lands value substantially.
In the Western states, land with direct property access to water, like a stream, pond, or lake, can have twice the value of a dry, parched piece of land.
Conversely, lands that are classified as wetlands will have building restrictions that reduce a property's value.
A final consideration in finding a good piece of land revolves around how far away phone and power lines are located.
Potable water can also be a problem.
Alternatives to electrical service are available in the form of solar or wind power generation, so long as these forms of energy are viable in the place where the land is located.
Negotiating for Land Negotiating for land often comes down to appearances and impressions.
A person who is looking to get a deal on a piece of property should never arrive in an expensive and freshly washed new vehicle.
Similarly, he should not bring an expensive looking leather briefcase to the meeting.
This sends out signals of big money on hand.
Another thing to remember is that negotiation is a give and take process.
It is not an ultimatum of "that is the final price.
" Bargaining involves having a set price in mind that is higher than the starting price offered.
The seller must be made to feel like he is getting a better deal than what the buyer initially offered.
Closing on Land When a person is preparing to close on a piece of land on which he has made a successful offer, he will need to come prepared.
All of the financing has to be secured well in advance of the closing.
A real estate lawyer might have been consulted and even brought along to review final copies of the contract.
The key factor in this stage of buying land is not to have any unanswered questions come up during the final closing appointment.