Whether planning to build commercial buildings, rentals, or your dream home, buying land can be exciting yet overwhelming. The buying process may seem easy and seamless, but it requires careful consideration to avoid making a lifetime mistake.

Land buying requires extensive research to find the best land rates and location that fits your needs. Unfortunately, many first-timers fail in this area, buying unproductive lands or areas with low security, and some even fall victim to fraud.

If you’re a first-timer looking to purchase land, here are four mistakes to avoid:

• Skimping On Research

The first mistake many first-time land buyers make is skimping on research. You must conduct thorough research to understand the current market valuations and to make informed decisions.  Here are some of the reasons why research is crucial for your investment scheme:

• Understand Market Value

One of the most important reasons why research is crucial is that it helps you understand whether or not you’re getting a fair price. It’ll help you understand the various factors affecting the land value too, such as the location and property age. From there, you can estimate the price and create a reasonable budget.

• Choose The Best Location

The location of the land is crucial, especially when you have kids or when building rentals and commercial buildings. For one, you must choose land with access to roads, electricity, water, and other facilities, such as hospitals and schools. And researching will help you get the precise location that fits these needs.

• Identify Potential Hazards

If the land you want to purchase faces significant concerns, like legal disputes and environmental problems, researching will help you spot it. You’ll find articles about such disagreements, and you can conclude to help you make informed decisions.

• Understand Zoning And Land-Use Regulations

Land-use and zoning regulations dictate how you can use land in specific areas. There are areas where only commercial buildings are allowed, while others only allow residential ones. Therefore, researching will help you determine the best zone that suits your intentions.

• Evaluate The Developer’s Credibility

Research helps you evaluate the seller’s credibility as well. You can check if they’re authorized operators with an operating license. Plus, you can examine if they have a good record by reading reviews from other clients. 

Generally, research will help you understand how to choose land for your home that suits your requirements to help you avoid costly mistakes and make sound decisions.

• Underestimating Your Expenses

Another mistake most first-time land buyers make is underestimating their expenses. There’s more to buying land than making the downpayment for the real estate deal. There are other hidden costs associated with land buying, such as closing costs, land clearing or site preparations, utilities-associated costs, property taxes, and zoning fees. Understand your expenses and make reasonable adjustments to your budget to avoid surprises.

• Not Hiring Qualified Professionals

As mentioned, buying land can be overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers. You need the proper documentation and know your way around the buying process, which is impossible if you’ve never purchased one.

Therefore, hiring qualified professionals is an excellent approach for better investments. They’ll help you with legal protection, property inspection, and expertise. Here’s a list of the experts you need to get your money’s worth:

• Realtor: The law allows you to buy land yourself. But it’s not advisable for first-timers like you. Hire a real estate agent as they better understand the market, have access to the off-book listings, negotiation skills, and legal access. 
• Real estate attorney: You can buy land without an attorney too, yet you’ll need one for legal advice, dispute resolution, and contract review.
• Environmental Consultant: When buying land in areas that have environmental concerns due to industrial activities, it’s crucial to have an environmental consultant inspect them before buying for compliance with applicable regulations.
• Surveyor: A surveyor will help you determine land boundaries when they’re unclear. Further, they’ll prepare a survey document you can use once you purchase the land.

These professionals will help you avoid the common mistakes, and pitfalls investors fall into when buying land. However, the expertise you need will depend on the purpose of the land. For instance, you may need an architect if you plan to erect a building, but you won’t need one for an irrigation scheme.

• Visiting The Site Only Once

Another major mistake first-timers make when buying land is conducting a single site visit. One visit isn’t enough to assure you about the land’s condition. Ensure you revisit the land several times to gather information about the location and the utilities available in the area.

In addition, several visits will allow you to interact with the neighbors who can offer insider insights to help you negotiate better deals. They’re likely to know the owner, and such information will keep you safe from fraudsters.

Conclusion Generally, purchasing land for the first time can be daunting, especially when you don’t hire experienced professionals. It’s vital to research adequately to avoid making the common mistakes many first-timers make. Follow the guidelines highlighted in this discussion to make sound decisions and avoid unnecessary costs.

Khalil Ur Rehman

Khalil ur Rehman is a proud born and raised in Abbottabad. Khalil has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications including the Yahoo News and The Verge. As a journalist for The Hear Up, Khalil covers climate and science news. [email protected]