How to find a lot
Once you know the areas you want to live in, and what the house you want to build will require in a lot, you can go lot shopping.
Where do you find a lot? Start by driving the streets of the areas you want to live in. This is the best way to find a lot in the place you really want to live. By doing these things you get a better idea of whether or not these neighborhoods are ideal for the type of home you want to build. Also, driving the streets gives you a feel for what living there will be like, and allows you to keep your eye open for lots that are for sale.
Real Estate Agents
After you drive the areas, and know for sure that you want to build there, a great way to find a lot is to enlist the help of a real estate agent. If you don't know any agents in the area, a great way to find one that probably knows their stuff is to look at the for sale signs and call one of the agents on those.
Having an agent is valuable because they can do a lot of follow up work on lots you are interested in, they can tell you how long they have been for sale, if the title is free and clear, and what it might take for you to purchase the lot. They can help you find a lot by looking on the local MLS, and setting up times for you to go and look at all of the lots available. If they have been doing this for a long time they can also offer valuable insights and advice about the lots you look at, and can help you find one that best fits your needs. Agents can also help you look into modified lots, and help you find out who owns them, and whether or not they are willing to sell them, and for what price.
Contact Builders
Next, call some of the builders you see signs for. This does two things: one, it allows you to talk to builders that are building in the area. They know who to hire, whom not to hire, and basically they are experienced. Second, sometimes builders buy several lots in a subdivision, and then choose not to build on all of them (for financial or other reasons), so you might be able to buy a lot from a builder that is not even listed as "for sale" yet. So, when you call builders, ask if they have any lots in the areas you want for sale.
If you want to find any spot lots, go to the country records. You are going to be looking for plot maps, which are maps that show lot shapes. From those maps you are going to want to get the tax number, and use that number to find out who owns the lot. Once you know who owns it you can try and buy it. These can be your best bargains, so utilize them, and use the techniques to purchase them found in manual one.
You can also look in the local newspapers for lots for sale. Some times they are advertised in the paper rather than on the MLS, and they may or may not have a for sale sign placed on the land itself.
So, in summary, to find the lot of your dreams for the house of your dreams, drive around and look for signs on land, look at agent names and contact those agents for help, and look at builders who build quality stuff, and can help you find the right subs, and may even have lots to sell. Keep your eyes open for spot lots in established neighborhoods, or even new subdivisions or rural areas. Then, use your resources, get the agent working for you, have them check out all the details, spend some time at the county building looking at plat maps, and ask the experts (the builders) any and everything you may want to know.
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Tags: home-lot finding-a-lot buying-a-lot real-estate real-estate-agent
