What to Ask When Buying a Block of Land

When buying a block of land, it is important to go in with your eyes wide open. While a block of land may look perfect on the surface, there are a lot of underlying factors to consider. From legalities to the nature of the land, being informed of every piece of information can save a lot of heartbreak down the line. That is why, when purchasing a block of land, it is important to ask the hard questions before signing on the dotted line.

Importance of Location

The location of your home is paramount. That is why it is important to ask a few key questions pertaining to location before you purchase a block of land.

Know your Locations

When buying a property one of the first things you need to consider is location. The block must be situated in a spot that makes sense for you. In order to find this, ask questions such as the proximity to transport, schools and shopping precincts.

The choice of location will largely depend on the lifestyle you’re looking for. If you can work remotely, perhaps look for a rural block with plenty of space and privacy. If you are dreaming of building a property with ocean views, consider the price you are willing to pay for a house with certain accessories in this area.

Look at Planning Controls

Another important aspect of location is looking at planning controls. The last thing buyers want to happen is to purchase a block of land only to find out that the council has plans for major infrastructure works on surrounding blocks.

Therefore it is important to carry out your own due diligence to avoid any surprises later on. If the block you’re looking to purchase is surrounded by other vacant blocks, check zoning and land use to understand if there is any potentially deal breaking works planned for the neighbouring blocks.

Block Breakdown

Before committing to purchasing a block of land, it is important to understand the nature of the block in consideration. For example, does the block of land feature any slopes? It is important to know the dimensions and nature of the slopes now. This will allow you to research the extra costs of slopes to the building phase and determine if your budget can cater for this.

Another thing to consider is the nature of the soil on the block. If the soil grading isn’t perfect, it could have an impact on the cost of building foundations for a house.

Check Orientation

Always check the block of land’s orientation. In the Southern Hemisphere, the northern orientation is most popular. This is due to the fact that northern sun passively heats a home while also offering protection from eastern and western sun. This results in better energy efficiency and therefore significant savings on energy bills.

Utilities

You need to know if key services are available. The availability of key services like power, water, sewerage, gas, internet and telephone should be questioned before purchasing the land. If they are available, it is also best to check their location as well.

By asking the land developer these questions before purchasing the land, you can skip the surprise of finding out that these services aren’t available after you’ve purchased the land. Asking this question early also allows you to determine the connections costs and allow room for these in the budget.

Legal Considerations

When buying a block of land there are some legal considerations to take into account. It is best to be aware of these before purchasing the block of land in case any legalities turn into deal breakers.

1. Approval to Build

Before land owners are allowed to build on a block of land, they need to acquire building or development approval. This approval could prevent you from developing the land the way you intend so it is important to ask about the block of land and its potential before purchasing.

2. Easements

An easement may affect where you can and cannot build on your block of land. This is so third parties such as electricity or water authorities can access your land. If these easements are in place, it is important to know about them as they could play a part in changing your vision for the block of land.

3. Covenants

Sometimes with specific blocks, there are covenants in place. This means there are restrictions on the building materials that are allowed to be used. This could also mean that there are restrictions in place as to how the land can be developed. Therefore, it is important to have this information before making any commitments.

Ready to Build a House?

Once you have done due diligence and worked out if a block of land suits your lifestyle and your needs, the exciting part can begin- building the house.

Looking for your dream home? Kitome offers a wide range of fully customisable homes for you to choose from or you can design your own!Talk to the friendly team at Kitome today.

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