Land Buyer's Guide

1. Is the property guaranteed buildable?

McKeough Land Company guarantees that each parcel it sells is suitable for building and that all requirements have been met in order to obtain necessary building permits. If a building permit cannot be issued in compliance with our regulations, we will buy the property back from you up to two years from your closing date.

2. Is the property surveyed?

With a surveyed parcel, you'll have greater assurance that the acreage will be exactly what you contracted for, and the boundary lines are properly shown on the survey map and staked on the ground.

3. Is financing available?

Financing on unimproved land is sometimes difficult to find. McKeough Land Company has relationships with local banks that allow us to provide streamlined approval processes and favorable rates.

4. Is the title to the property clear?

The title should be free of "liens, easements and encumbrances." Look for property on which 'clear title' is guaranteed with a warranty deed. McKeough Land Company sells every parcel with a warranty deed.

5. What services are available in the area?

Will the town provide garbage pick up? Will your roads be plowed? Be sure you know all services provided by local government or public utilities.

6. Is title insurance available on this property?

Title insurance is a guarantee that, in the event of title disputes, the insurance company will attempt to correct the problem, and if unable to, they will defend your right to title.

7. What are the current taxes on the property?

We all wish taxes were lower because low taxes help reduce carrying costs.

8. Does your building site include utilities?

If not, will you be able to install electric, gas, phone, cable, septic, and water and what are the costs for installation?

9. What are the zoning restrictions on this property?

Could a shopping mall be built next door? Could your neighbor engage in pig farming? Each state, county and town follow different regulations regarding subdivision and zoning. McKeough Land Company representatives are knowledgeable about local zoning and can assist you in this area.

10. Are there any protective covenants or deed
restrictions on this property?

Do you have to build right away, or can you camp on your land until you're ready to build? Are there any square footage requirements? Are any types of homes allowed? Will a property owners' association be established in order to protect your investment?

You've finally decided it's time for you to buy that land you've always wanted, that getaway in the mountains where you'll write your book, that lakeside retreat where you spend quiet evenings watching the sunset, or that riverside retirement cottage where you want to create family memories.

Perhaps you're looking for an investment that you can not only own but also enjoy. Land is a tangible asset that can be seen, touched, and shared with friends and family. Not only does it typically appreciate in value, but it creates priceless memories and will be there for future generations.

Whatever your plans, buying land can sometimes seem intimidating. Zoning regulations, soil testing, utilities to hook up, and financing are all things you'll have to consider when planning your purchase.

Like so much about real estate, location plays a huge role in your decision-making process. If, for example, you're looking for a weekend getaway to use 52 times a year, you wouldn't want to buy land that takes half a day to get there. And that retirement home? You'll want to make sure there's good health care nearby.

Accurately assessing your financial capabilities, your lifestyle, and your goals are essential to making the right buy. So, before you even start looking, ask yourself the following questions:

What are you planning to use your land for? Vacation, retirement, maybe just a weekend escape? Does it need to be easy to get to? How close do you want to be to a major city or good-sized town? Think about what makes you comfortable.

You will also want to think about what you can spend and don't forget to take taxes into consideration. Would a smaller parcel on a bigger lake be preferable to a large parcel on a small lake? Or would a lake-access parcel fit into your budget better and still give you the same amenities?

Once you've answered those questions, start looking for land in earnest. There are several traditional methods of searching for land that have always been effective. Scour the classified ads of papers in areas you're interested in, get in your car and spend weekends traveling the back roads of those areas, and contact real estate agents and have them check their listings. Nearly all realtors and land companies now have a presence on the Internet, so don't be afraid to search for that perfect property online.

Your best bet is to contact a company that specializes in finding great vacation and recreational land like McKeough Land Company. Unlike realtors, we charge no commissions. Our land consultants can guide you through the process of buying land and answer all of your questions - from the cost of installing a well to the location of the closest Chinese food.

Be sure your land consultant understands the factors that are most important to you in selecting the right piece of property. The clearer the understanding between land specialist and client, the better chance
you have of finding and buying your dream property before it sells to someone else.

Remember, better-informed people make better buying decisions. Take time to figure out what you want, research, and ask questions. There's something empowering about owning land. It's an investment in your future, and it's a place to build memories - the most valuable currency of all.

Are you hoping to find a secluded, lakefront parcel that someone priced foolishly low? Surely you've seen or heard about those advertisements that say you can buy a lakefront paradise for pennies on the dollar. There must be a catch, right?

Well, just like our parents taught us, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That doesn't mean great deals aren't out there-especially in this buyer's market-but it does mean you should be cautious. One of our customers recently received an unsolicited call from someone offering an unbelievable deal on land. When our customer asked to see the land in person, the caller became uncomfortable and pressed him to buy it over the phone. Our customer declined, did some research, and discovered that the land being offered wasn't even buildable.

Prudent buyers seek facts before they spend money. There are honest, reliable developers and there are happy, satisfied lot purchasers. The reverse, unfortunately, is also true. Make it your business to find out all you can about the company and the property. Land is a big purchase. Make sure you do it right.

Buying land is quite different from buying a home or commercial property. A building or house is sure to have a street address and likely a fence or some other landscaping in the yard to mark the lot lines. When buying a home, you know exactly which property you're viewing. That's usually not the case with land.

When buying land, you're buying the raw land on which to build your home. So, there's no building, street address, or a lawn. There are just trees-sometimes lots of them. Telling the difference between one parcel and another on your own can be confusing and frustrating. And you might even end up trespassing on your future neighbor's land.

In order to get a really good feel for the land and know exactly what you're looking at, it's best to build a relationship with a knowledgeable land consultant. A good land consultant will meet with you, walk the land, point out the lot markers, discuss zoning and any building restrictions, give you information on the surrounding area, and, most importantly, be there to answer any questions that arise while you're on the property. If you're willing to spend the time looking at property, you should not only appreciate having a knowledgeable land consultant there-you should insist on it.

Another advantage of working with seasoned land professionals is that they know the property, they know the comparable property in the area, and they know the current market. They're land experts and understand that clients are looking for value. By starting a relationship with a land consultant, you can be the first one contacted when a new property is being introduced to market, when market conditions create a favorable climate for buyers, and when the company is offering special promotions, such as discounts on multi-lot purchases.

Working with a land company can offer you the best of both worlds: you can find property that offers beauty and value, and you can buy this dream property with total confidence.

You just bought the perfect piece of land and now you're ready to build the home of your dreams. Or are you? You first have to find a reputable builder who you trust to do everything just right-from the concrete footings to the crown molding.

Choosing the right builder can be difficult and time consuming, but putting in that extra effort ahead of time can save you from a lot of headaches later on. Anne and Steve, recent buyers at Chalk's Landing in North Carolina, are currently building a beautiful, Craftsman-style house there and shared their approach to finding the right builder.

They started their search by talking to a couple friends in the area-one of whom is a local realtor. Both friends suggested the same builder and said Anne and Steve would be very lucky and happy to work with him.

They took their friends' recommendation and set up an appointment with the builder. They met for about an hour and learned that he had been building houses for more than 40 years and that his crew had been with him for decades. "You get great results when you've got someone who uses the same people over and over again," Steve said.

The builder took them through a house he had built for another couple. Anne asked the homeowners if they'd choose the same builder again and they responded with an emphatic "Yes!" This was just the response they were looking for.

While many people interview a number of builders, Anne and Steve felt comfortable with the first builder they'd met and decided he was the perfect person for the job. "You'll know if he's the right person within 30 or 45 minutes," Steve said. "And although we completely trust him, we still wanted to sign a contract. I would tell anyone else to do the same."

A few weeks into the build, they're extremely happy with their decision. "Most builders spend a lot of time in an office," Steve said, "but our guy is out at the house all the time, so that means we don't have to be there. And if they run into any problems, they'll call us."

It's important to keep in mind that no building experience is without rough spots-whether it's from delays in construction to something not looking exactly as you'd planned-so it's important to have a good rapport with your builder so you can feel
comfortable talking things through and determining the best course of action.

Most people may not find the perfect builder as easily as Steve and Anne, but if you know what you want, do your homework, and never settle for anything less, you're more likely to enjoy the experience and be entirely satisfied when you're able to move into the house of your dreams.