For most people, buying land in North Florida is a great investment. If you’re thinking about purchasing a lot or home site here, it could be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.
However, there are a few things you need to check on before you buy property in this area.
- What will you have to pay in taxes?
- Are their public utilities available? You’ll need to look into whether you’ll be able to have access to water, sewer, electric, gas and phone lines. If the property doesn’t have access to any of these, remember that you’ll need to contact the appropriate companies and make arrangements for service.
- What is the property’s topography? In the state of Florida, the topography is generally the same – particularly in the northern regions. However, you’ll need to know whether the land type is right for your purposes.
- What is the property zoned for? Your real estate agent can help you understand what properties can be used for in this area. There are several zoning classifications, including:
- Residential
- Mixed use
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Agricultural
- What are the required building setbacks on the property? Your Realtor® can help you find out whether a property has required building setbacks, and if it does, what they are.
- What is the water table like, and is the property located in a flood zone? This matters, particularly if you’re interested in building on the property.
- Are there usage restrictions on the property? Many vacant land parcels have at least some kind of usage restrictions. While they are typically a reasonable, it’s still best to find out what the usage restrictions are before you get too excited about a property.
- Can the property tap into a municipal sewer system? If it can, you may not need to install a septic system.
- Are there any easements to the property? There are many properties that have no “official” road access; they are surrounded by private property on all sides. This is definitely something you need to know before you buy.
- What were the properties former uses? You will need to make sure there are no environmental issues that come with the property, particularly because you don’t want responsibility for those issues to fall on your shoulders.
If you’re thinking about buying land in North Florida, call us at 386-243-0124 or get in touch with us online. We can help you find the perfect place.
