3. Topography You need to consider the type of soil, the number of trees, and the elevation or flatness of the terrain. Those are all things that will affect the cost of building a home and the value of the land. For example, if you buy property in the wetlands, you'll have to deal with tough regulations and pay for an expensive septic system. Performing a full topography assessment is highly technical, which makes it tough if you aren’t trained as a farmer or geologist. That’s part of the reason why you’ll want to get a team of top-notch experts on your side as you navigate the land-buying process. 4. Environmental Concerns Make sure you’re aware of environmental dangers that could affect your land (like flooding or other natural disasters), as well as any endangered plants or animals living on the property you’re looking at. If you buy in a wooded area, check to see how many trees you’re allowed to clear. This stuff should pop up when you look at zoning regulations and topography, but it’s always better to ask, just in case. 5. Road Access When you buy land, you need a way to get to it easily. If the roads leading to it are someone else’s private property, you’ll have to get legal permission to use them. The official term for that is easement, and it may come with a fee and an agreement to share the road maintenance costs. (No, baking cookies for your neighbor won’t get the job done.) Even though it’s a hassle, easement is incredibly important to figure out before you commit to buying land. If you don’t have an easement, you won’t be able to get to your property—so you may as well not even buy it. Of course, if the roads leading to the land aren’t private property, you’re in the clear!
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