If you are on the search for land in Virginia, then you know that it can take a while to find a lot in your ideal location.  Once you do, some buyers feel hesitant to move forward with an offer because it’s hard to know just from looking at some grass and trees if this lot is going to work for the home you want to build.  How do you know if this is the right lot for your home?

Good news:  The contract for the purchase for land in Virginia allows buyers to investigate the suitability of a property for their intended use before purchasing it.

After a buyer has an accepted offer on a piece of property, the contract will outline an agreed upon timeframe for the buyer to complete inspections at the property.  The timeline can vary from contract to contract.  During this window, buyers can determine if the lot will work for their needs; if it does not, then they can exit the contract.  

Some things to investigate when buying land in Virginia include:

Lot size 

Does the lot offer enough space to place the home you want to build on it?  While every county is different, there are regulations about how many feet a home needs to be from the borders of the property.  There could also be easements on the property that a buyer cannot build on, so it’s important to work with your home builder to see if the land will work for the type of home you want to construct.

FEMA Designated Flood Plains 

If the land is near water, you can find out if it is in a flood plain on FEMA’s Flood Maps. While not impossible, building a home in a flood plain is usually not a wise idea.  Many mortgage lenders might not approve a mortgage for a home in a flood plain meaning that the buyers (and future buyers when it comes time to sell) would need to pay cash.  Raising the land around a home above the flood plain during construction means bringing in dirt and that can quickly become cost prohibitive.  The homeowners could need additional flood insurance too.

PERC Test 

A PERC test examines how well water drains from a piece of property.  This impacts the type of septic system that can be installed.  If a buyer is considering a piece of property outside of public water and sewer, then a PERC test will give them information about the type of septic system suitable for the property as well as how large of a home the septic system can support.  A PERC test is completed by a certified AOSE technician.  Your Locust Grove REALTOR® can help coordinate this test.

Electricity Costs 

On more rural land in Virginia, it is important for buyers to investigate how much it will cost to bring electricity to the home.  The farther the home is from the road (where the lines typically are located) the more expensive it will be to run the lines.  While this may not be a deal breaker itself, the cost of running electricity may result in buyers reallocating money from other parts of the budget to utilities.

Complete a survey 

If the property is expansive or it hasn’t been sold in a long time, then the buyers may want to complete a survey to determine the actual property boundaries.  This cost is paid for by the buyers.

Zoning 

Your REALTOR® can help you verify that the land is in a residential zoning area.  

Completing these tasks will help buyers determine if the piece of land in Virginia is the right one for their homes.  Your agent can help you research the suitability of a piece of land for how you want to use it. If you discover that your home won’t work for your intended purpose and you have stayed within the timelines outlined in the contract, then you can exit the contract.

When you are ready to start your search for land in Virginia, I am here to help.