A Cheap Piece of Land Isn't Always a Diamond in the Rough

A low-priced piece of land can look like an incredible opportunity. Sometimes it is. But sometimes the most important thing your agent can do is figure out why it's so cheap.

Recently, I researched an unimproved property for a potential buyer. On the surface, it looked like a small residential lot at a price that was hard to ignore.

So I started digging.

Municipal records, property maps, recorded deeds and easements revealed utility infrastructure and rights affecting the property. What initially looked like a bargain quickly became a much bigger question: Could the buyer actually use the property for what they intended?

IIn the end, this wasn't a diamond in the rough. It had the potential to become a tax burden for the new owner, with no practical way to use the property for its intended purpose.

This is where my construction background influences the way I approach real estate. I don't just look at the price, acreage and listing description. I ask questions. I look at zoning, utilities, easements, access, setbacks and other available information that may affect what can realistically be done with a property.

As a REALTOR®, I don't make legal, engineering, zoning or environmental determinations. My role is to recognize when more questions need to be asked, help find the available information and coordinate the appropriate professionals when needed.

Sometimes a good agent helps you find the right property. Sometimes a good agent helps you avoid buying the wrong one.

Due diligence matters.