13 things to look for when buying land

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of walking your land, breathing in fresh air and planning for the future. I can tell you from personal experience that building a home or holiday house on a parcel of land you own is one of the most challenging yet gratifying experiences a person can have.

Investing in land is a big step. So before you buy land, careful consideration of the points below will help you make the best possible property purchase, so you can start building your dream home, cabin or cottage with confidence.

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One of the first questions to ask when scouting out properties is how much land do you need. This is largely a matter of personal preference.

Do you want lots of space to take long walks with your dog without being disturbed by other people? More land opens up many possibilities, such as room for outbuildings and greenhouses, hobby farming and having fun with four-wheelers or dirt bikes. The downside: higher upfront costs and property taxes.

When land shopping for your home or cabin, ask yourself how tolerant you are of annoying people. This may seem unnecessarily negative, but I can tell you from experience that even if your neighbours are saints, there’s no telling who could one day buy the property next door and start giving you grief.

Be prepared for annoyances like loud, untrained dogs; or out-of-control livestock breaking down fences and tromping through your garden.

You may not need to deal with any of these issues. And you might decide you prefer close neighbours for social reasons. That’s fine. Just don’t assume they’ll always stay nice.

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Another decision to make early in your search for land is whether you want access to a lake or river. Land with water frontage is almost always more expensive, but being able to enjoy swimming, fishing and boating is well worth it for many home or cabin owners. If you decide you want to be near water, think about the sort of water you want – ocean, river, lake?

If you decide a waterside property is for you, think about the sort of shoreline you want. If it’s oceanside, what are the swimming or surfing conditions and beach accessibility? When it comes to lakes and rivers, some are much more user-friendly than others. Lakes with soft, muddy, weed-filled bottoms, for example, aren’t nearly as good for swimming as lakes with rocky or sandy bottoms. Obviously the potential downside to being near a lake or river is the potential for flooding, so do your research on this. You may also want to inquire about the fishing prospects.

Unless you’re planning to rough it and live completely off the land, consider proximity to the nearest town, and whether that town can cover all your needs. Think about how far you’re willing to travel for groceries, hardware and health care. Does the nearest town have a hospital and ambulance service?

These considerations matter if you’re concerned about your health and getting the care you need quickly during an emergency.

Learn about 9 common home emergencies and how to deal with them.

Once you’ve decided on the size and characteristics of your new home or cabin property, it’s time to consider electricity. Do grid-powered electrical lines come reasonably close? If not, you’ll need to choose between a solar or wind-powered off-grid system, or paying to have the power company install new poles from the nearest point of grid access.

Don’t make the mistake of choosing land based on looks alone. Electricity can be wildly difficult and expensive to achieve for a home that’s in the wrong spot.

Do you plan to install a septic system for your home or cabin? If not, you’ll need to use a composting toilet and grey water pit, or hook into the local sewage system. Remote properties don’t have municipal sewage systems, so if you go that route you’ll be restricted to properties closer to towns.

By the same token, a municipal water supply is only an option when you’re close to town. If you prefer a more remote location with an off-grid water system, you’ll need to drill a well and install a submersible pump to get water, or pump it in from a lake, dam or river. Another consideration to take into account is whether or not you’ll need to install an irrigation system, if you plan to have any kind of agricultural output or even a large garden.

Find out how to install a rain water tank.

Unless your goal is to unplug completely, living without internet access likely will be tough. That’s why it’s important to note the internet providers and mobile signal strength at all potential properties. Your mobile phone could save your life one day, so don’t make the mistake of choosing land with sketchy service unless that’s a selling point for you.

Beautiful land is all well and good, but it will be hard to enjoy if you have to hike through a kilometre of bush to get there. Evaluate the road access on all lots you scope out.

Is there a year-round, municipally maintained road leading directly to your property? Is there a trail you could use as a road and are willing to keep it clear yourself? If not, now’s the time to decide whether to devote the time and money to have one built.

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