Does anyone have any imput, tips, warmings, etc. when purchasing raw land?

Question

Hi, my name is Bob. This weekend my wife Maddie and myself are flying from our home in the Bay area up to Spokane, Washington State. From there we travel by auto to Okanogan County, located in North Central Washington State approx. 45 minutes south of the Canadian border. We will be looking at parcels of land that are 5 to 20 acres in size. I am already aware of what I want regarding topography, size, shape, location and cost of land. Water is by well, waste is by septic. Power and phone is on some parcels and not on others. This makes solar a possibility, but I am still making power from the grid a priority with solar as a possible back up. To find out a more exact cost to run power lines I have to contact the local utility. Septic systems are allowed after passing a perk test by the state dept of health. Wells are drilled until water is located or I can have it hauled in. With all of this info can anyone tell me if I missed anything? Thanx, Robert

Answer 1

koolie ♥

Answer 2

I live in Republic (Ferry County). We have some friends that have solar and they hate it, but are to far off the grid to get power. The batteries are costly and it also helps if you have a generator too, just in case. The costs are quite high to get the solar set up. Our friends had to pay for their system and yet the Utilities department "owns" the panels. Anyways, wells are quite tricky and can also become quite expensive. We just had a well drilled by Fogles and we only had to go 60 ft (not very deep at all) and the cost for just the hole was nearly $3500.00. We still need to buy the pump and also have them install all the pipe from the well. We budgeted 7K and it looks like it will take everylast penny and possibly more. Check around and if there are any neighbors around talk with them. Ask them how deep there wells are so you have a good idea. You can haul water though, but I would only do that if you had no other choice. We have lived with out indoor plumbing, but I don't think that I could live with out running water:) You will fall in love with the area and be delighted with all the friendly people. Coming up to these parts is for some like going back in time. Alot of people (especially in my county) still only have outhouses and live simply. Okanogan is desert like but with just a short drive to say Conconelly (25 minutes), you are in the mountains! Recreation is everywhere! Hunting, fishing, snowmobiling etc. We do get snow and quite a bit but with some Schwabb studded tires afront wheel drive you will be just fine. I am not sure of the way you are coming over from Spokane but make sure your rental car has chains. Sherman Pass is the highest pass in the state and it had 6 inches of snow a few weeks back (but it is dry today) Just be prepared and watch for deer. They are everywhere and coming over the pass is Open range. There are black cows usually on the road so be watchful. Down where the burn happened, keep your eyes peeled for moose. We have seen a few there lately, a cow and calf. Enjoy your trip over and I hope all goes well for you! Let me know if there is anything over this way that I can do to help. Travel safe friend.
Dena

Answer 3

Find out how much similar properties are selling for in that area (talk to someone other than the person trying to sell you the land). You may have to go to the county court house and research this. Also make sure your property has access from a road so you can actually get to it. Paying the power company to run a power line in can be very expensive so make sure you KNOW how much that will be before you sign on the dotted line. Also make the deal contingent on the well drilling and the perk test. You may also want to find out if there are any toxic waste sites nearby. Also find out the location of any nearby railroads as trains can be very annoying at 3 in the morning.

Answer 4

In addition to the previously mentioned things, if you are thinking of building a residence, make sure it is zoned residential. Also want to check if there are any wetlands on the property, if there are that can be a headache with "naturalist laws" and the DEC, and it requires special OK from the DEC for some building situations. If you are going to one of the bigger parcels and you might want to subdivide down the road, make sure that is allowed and what it will take to accomplish it. If you do take an interest make sure all these stipulations are contingencies in the contract, especially perk test so you can back out if anything falls through.

Answer 5

Find out how much it costs to build around there and what, if any, building restrictions there might be in that area.

I had some friends who moved from San Diego to Montana a few years ago and bought a 20-acre property there with the intention of building a house. At the time, there was a building boom going on and a house that would typically cost about $300K to build would cost them about $750K, because of a shortage of materials and labor, as well as sky-high permit costs. But, it still would only be worth about $300K.

Also, they found out that the road leading out to their property wasn't maintained by the government. So, they would be required to plow their own access road in winter and pay to have it resurfaced whenever that was required.

They decided that it would be best to sell the acreage and just buy a house that was already constructed a little closer into town.

Answer 6

yes, be sure to look at the land in the wettest part of the year, or, assuming you are looking for some portion of the land to be open, get very good air photos of a recent wet year from the USDA or other agricultural agency.

What are you talking about with water hauled in? and what is your intended use? Single family home? Check for zoning issues such as burial mound setbacks or other restrictions on building.

Answer 7

Sir, you have to consider seriously all the facts you mentioned, I would add: is the soil to wet or too dry? it's rocky, Sandy, humid, dusty, adequate for sowing, horse riding, what about natural pests, what is the purpose you want that land.
In other words, you must make a check list of variables in function of your purpose or necessity. Put the results in a balance and then decide.

Answer 8

Make sure to do a land study / environmental study to find out:

a) what, if anything, is in the ground that could be toxic.

b) if there is any history of such in the past (what was the land formerly used for).

c) what is near the property (i.e. check with planning commission to see what else is going up around you).

Answer 9

will you have mineral rights? easment and right of way? who takes care of the roads? emergency services? earthquake zone? heat by NG, LPG, wood stove, solar? with or without house? how much to transport building materials to site?

Answer 10

do u have mineral rights ???are there any easments on the property =-- can u use the roads without askin the owners,\
good luck and enjoy urself

Answer 11

make sure you have mineral rights and the seller performs the survey on the boundry