In a world where the real estate market is constantly fluctuating, it can be hard to know when the right time to buy land is. You might be asking yourself, “How do I buy land in 2022?” or “Is now the right time to invest in property?” This blog post will give you an overview of how to purchase land and explain why purchasing land in 2022 is an intelligent investment.
So, whether you’re a beginner investor or just curious about land buying, keep reading!
Why buying land in 2022 is a good investment?
Some of the benefits of owning land could change how you think about land investments. The land is one of the wisest and best investments you can make. After you buy something, you can be sure that no one can take it away from you or break it. A piece of land stays in good shape and gets more valuable over time. When you own land, it gives you peace of mind and financial security.
Experts say that investing in raw land and buying land for future development, like housing or building, is good. You don’t have to do any work on the land, and you can sell it at a higher price in the future. So, we can say that buying land gives peace of mind and is well worth the money.
Land investments are less competitive.
Most people who have money to invest like to make money by building developments, flipping houses, or building condos. People usually worry most about high competition when they think about investing. But when we talk about land investments, it’s a very different story. This area of real estate has low competition, and you can buy a few acres of land in a good spot without going broke.
The cost of land is low.
Unlike other types of real estate, the land is cheap and doesn’t require much work to maintain. You don’t have to pay for utilities, a mortgage, roof repairs, or new roofs. The owner of the land also doesn’t have to pay for insurance, which is a plus. Property taxes are the least costly, so your home won’t surprise you with extra costs and will quietly go up in value.
Land Is a Tangible Asset
Investing in vacant land is much less risky than investing in stocks. It can’t just disappear or lose its value. In the worst case, the value of money and currency won’t be stable. No matter what is going on in the world economy, the value of land keeps rising.
No Risky Government Laws
Landowners don’t have to worry about rules to keep their property free of risk. So, you don’t need to hire a lawyer to make sure you’re following the rules.
7 Things To Look For When Buying Land
Location
Location is the most important thing in real estate. You may prefer living off the grid, but buying land is still an investment. If it takes more than an hour to get to the nearest grocery store or gas station, potential buyers might not be interested. Find out which schools are in your area, how close the property is to highways and stores, and how far it is from places where you can get help in an emergency.
Road Access
You need to be able to access your property readily, right? That means you have to find out if the roads that lead to your land are privately owned by someone else. If so, you will need permission from the law (the legal term is “easement”) to use them. If you want to use a road legally, you may have to pay a fee and agree to help pay for road maintenance. Yes, it is a bother. But you should really think about it before you make a decision. You can’t get to your property if you don’t have the right of way. So you might as well not buy it at all.
Utility Services
City water, power, cable, and sewage systems may not be available. Check the city limits to see if you’ll have to build your own septic system, water well, or access to electricity. In today’s world, you should also check your mobile service before making a purchase.
Zoning
Check the zoning laws of your city, county, and state to see if you can even build a house on the land you’re looking for. Look into any plans the government may have for the future that could affect the value of the land, such as building new highways or power plants. Problems like this come up often, so look out for red flags. You might also need to pay certain fees or permits.
The landscape
Unless you are a farmer or a geologist, you might not notice this. But it’s a big deal! Think about the type of soil, the number of trees, and whether the land is high or flat. All of these things will affect where and how much you can build a house. As an example: If the soil is hard and rocky, you might not be able to build a basement. And if you buy land in a wetland, you’ll have to follow strict rules and pay a lot for a septic system.
Environmental Issues
This will come up when you look at zoning laws and the land’s shape, but it should be its own category. It means any environmental dangers that could affect the safety of your home, as well as any plants or animals that live on your property that are in danger of going extinct. Check to see how many trees you can cut down if you buy in a wooded area.
How to Purchase Land?
Purchasing land is similar to buying a house and usually involves the following steps:
Find a lender
If you want to finance your land acquisition, go to a lender. This pre-qualifying talk will help you understand your land budget. Some options your lender may suggest include a land loan, USDA loan, SBA 504 (for company usage), or a home equity loan.
Hire a real estate agent with expertise in land purchases
Buying land generally starts with an agent. Look for a local expert with land sales expertise. Some real estate agents who have received specialized training in land sales may promote themselves as certified land consultants.
While you can conduct the research yourself, a local builder can assist you in determining whether a plot is appropriate for development and guide you through the process.
Look for land
Along with your realtor or builder, go through local newspapers, online classifieds, and land-specific websites, and even drive around the region looking for for-sale signs, particularly in remote areas.
Investigate the lot
Consider if you can create the house you desire within your budget. Consider zoning, setbacks, legal access to the property, utility availability, HOA restrictions, and environmental and soil constraints. Professionals like attorneys, inspectors, surveyors, and contractors can help you manage all of this information and make the process much smoother.
Make a land acquisition offer.
If you have an agent, you’ll work on an offer. The following factors should be taken into account: funding, title search, and buildability (decided by soil testing, setbacks, and zoning). Make sure the offer provides you enough time to explore so you don’t sign a contract for the property you can’t build on.
Apply for a land loan
Now that you know the property’s price, you may officially apply for a loan if you like the lender you’re negotiating with. Your lender will check your income, assets, and obligations as part of the loan underwriting procedure.
Close your land deal
Once your financing has been authorized, your lender will establish a closing date, which is when the deal is completed. You should acquire home insurance, even if it is just liability insurance.
After closing, the land is yours.
Buy Land With Confidence
Buying land is a huge investment. Whether you are just starting out or have been in the market for a while, it’s important to do your research and consult with professionals before making any decisions. At Single Tree Team, we are dedicated to helping our clients find their dream properties no matter what stage of life they are in. Give us a call today, and let us help you buy property in 2022!