Choosing the right piece of land can feel like a daunting task. Whether you’re looking to build your dream home, start a small farm, or invest for the future, the process requires careful thought and planning. I’ve been there, and I can tell you—if you follow these steps, you’ll be much more confident in your decision.
Step 1: Set a Clear Goal for the Land
Before you start looking at land, ask yourself: What do I want to do with it? This is the first and most important step. When I first bought land, I had visions of building a cabin in the woods. But once I really thought about it, I realized the land I had chosen wasn’t ideal for construction. It was more suited to farming. Once I clarified my goal (to use it for agricultural purposes), I started looking at properties that made sense.
Pro Tip: Define your goal clearly before you start searching. Do you want to build a home, run a business, or just hold the land for investment purposes?
Step 2: Set Your Budget
Just like buying a home, it’s essential to set a budget for your land purchase. I made the mistake of getting emotionally attached to a plot of land that was way out of my price range. Even though it was beautiful, the price didn’t match my budget. I had to step back and find something more affordable.
Pro Tip: In addition to the purchase price, factor in extra costs like surveys, legal fees, property taxes, and the cost of getting utilities to the land (if applicable).
Step 3: Do a Thorough Site Visit
It’s easy to get swept up in online listings and photos, but nothing beats seeing the land in person. I once looked at a plot online that seemed perfect, but when I visited, I found that the access road was terrible and the soil was mostly rocky. It wasn’t ideal for building, which would’ve been a huge disappointment if I’d gone ahead without visiting.
Pro Tip: Visit the site multiple times, at different times of day. This will help you see how the land looks under different lighting conditions and check for potential problems (like flooding or poor drainage).
Step 4: Check Zoning and Land Use Restrictions
This is something I wish I’d paid more attention to when I bought my first plot. Zoning laws dictate what you can and can’t do with your land. Some areas restrict certain types of development, and others may have setbacks or easements that could interfere with your plans. I remember one piece of land I looked at being in an agricultural zone, which limited how I could use it for residential development.
Pro Tip: Contact local zoning offices or land use boards to ensure the land is zoned for your intended use (residential, commercial, industrial, etc.).
Step 5: Understand Access and Utilities
Not all land comes with road access or utilities like water, electricity, or sewage systems. When I was looking for land, I learned the hard way that some plots only had limited or no access to utilities. I ended up buying a plot that had electricity nearby, but I had to put in a well and septic system.
Pro Tip: Check if the land has road access (or if you’ll need to build a road) and ensure there’s an option for utilities. If not, get quotes for how much it will cost to bring them to the property.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right plot of land requires patience and attention to detail. By following these steps—setting clear goals, budgeting properly, visiting the site, checking zoning laws, and ensuring access to utilities—you’ll set yourself up for success. With the right approach, buying land can be one of the best decisions you make, whether for building your dream home, starting a business, or just as an investment for the future.