The process can be complex if you’re about to purchase land and want to build a property on it. There’s more to it than signing a land purchase agreement (although this is an important step), and ensuring you are following all the correct requirements can be challenging. Still, purchasing land can be exciting. It doesn’t have to be as stressful as you think. Check our list of steps to follow when purchasing land for your next home to make the process easier.
How Crucial is Land Surveying for Real Estate?
The answer is that land surveying is a critical part of real estate for several reasons, including:
- Determining whether you have permission to build on the land
- Clarifying any boundary disputes related to the land
- Finding out which obstacles may obstruct your building process
The process involves mapping the earth to find where the boundaries are, after which the surveyor will pass on the data to architects to create a design.
But how can you purchase the land you want to survey? Check the next section for more details.
4 Steps to Prepare for the Land Purchasing Process
The three steps you should follow to prepare for the land purchasing process for your next home include using reliable sites to search for the land, considering whether the land is registered and using environmental tests. Here’s more information about these steps.
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Using reliable sites to search for land
Reputable and reliable sources are vital for searching for land. The best sites will provide examples of land types and give you the option to search for the land location. They will also have options to search for an agent’s plot valuation.
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Considering whether the land is registered
When you use a land registry site, you should check whether the land has a legal owner. This process involves paying a fee so the land registry can check the location and address.
If the land is unregistered, you must search to find the owner. This process may involve looking for adjoining registered titles or speaking to neighbours in the area who may know who owned the land.
Alternatively, if the land is registered, you must search for the required contact information of the landowner to begin negotiating with them.
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Using environmental tests
With environmental tests, you can determine the perfect place to build your new home and the type of structure for your property on the plot of land. These tests are critical!
The tests examine whether the soil is contaminated or contains any chemicals or toxic substances, which is vital if you want to cultivate or farm crops on the land. If the environmental tests show toxic substances in the land, you won’t be able to cultivate crops safely or consume them.
Financially speaking, using environmental tests to rule out soil contamination is essential if you intend to resell the land afterwards. Buyers will not consider purchasing the land if they find it contaminated.
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Signing a land purchasing agreement
Land purchasing agreements are legal documents that establish the conditions and terms when a seller sells you a plot of land. When you agree with the seller, they will confirm the price and conditions of the sale in the document, which will state the instalment payments required.
You can sign a land purchase agreement to receive a crucial advantage when purchasing land. If your credit score is poor and you can’t get a mortgage, you can pay the seller directly, as traditional lenders won’t be involved.
What Should You Focus on When Purchasing Land for Your Next Home?
When purchasing land for your next home, you must consider the utilities and accessibility. Accessibility refers to how you will access your home and includes factors such as driveway installation.
Focus on how you will route the piping to the home you build via the land to receive running water and heat.
You should also focus on the location of the land for your next home. Consider whether the land is located near amenities that will make a living in the area pleasant.
Final Thoughts
Purchasing land may seem like a confusing process, and there are many vital things to consider before you build a home, but by following the steps in this article, you will get the dream plot of land for your home. Don’t forget that land registry sites can help you determine whether the plot of land is registered or unregistered and that calling a land surveyor is a critical step for ensuring you and the architect know where the land boundaries are.
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