3 TIPS FOR BUYING LAND
Investing in Oregon land can be a lucrative venture, but it requires careful consideration and due diligence. In this post, we will discuss the three most important things to know before making making your dream of owning land a reality.
1. UNDERSTAND THE ZONING
One of the first steps in evaluating a rural property is to determine its zoning and whether it aligns with your intended purposes. The zoning codes usually are so complicated, it can confuse the most qualified expert.
To gain clarity on allowable uses, it is crucial to meet with local planning authorities and or your attorney. One thing that we noticed over the years is that local planning departments typically say no before saying yes. Stay patient, ask thoughtful questions, and be respectful to make sure the answers you are getting are the correct and accurate ones. These folks are inundated with questions everyday and being grumpy with them won’t get you anywhere. :)
In case any confusion persists, seeking advice from land use consultants can provide the necessary expertise. Since the land use process has become complex, proceed with cautious optimism.
2. CONFIRM PROPERTY LINES
Buying land is awesome, but not if you don’t know the boundaries. Don’t automatically assume that any fencing or local knowledge from past owners on the property lines are accurate…dig deeper. You should also not rely solely on new technologies like Onx Maps and other navigation apps. While not all properties require boundary surveys or corners to be set, it is still prudent for potential buyers to understand the details of their chosen property.
Partition plats, which create larger parcels of land, may indicate “un-surveyed" areas meaning dimensions and distances were determined using known monumentation. Prospective purchasers should carefully review maps, legal descriptions, and even consult with their attorney and or the local surveyor who drew the partition plat to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the property's boundaries.
If that doesn’t work we would recommend hiring a surveyor to clarify the property boundaries.
3. ASSESS YOUR ACCESS
Over the years we have encountered many issues with access. Whether that be a disgruntled neighbors that gate your road, handshake easements that were never documented, or just restrictions on what the road can be used for. For example, many timber properties have easements over neighbors that are restricted to only “FOREST MANAGEMENT”. Meaning if you have fantasies of using your property for recreation, that is not an allowed use of such easement. This is actually quite common.
It is also essential to determine the location, permitted uses, and whether the access is both assignable and perpetual. On top of all that, identifying who maintains the access and whether there is a recorded maintenance agreement is equally important.
To verify the above, reviewing the Title Report is necessary. This report should reflect the presence of a recorded access and ensure clear and uninterrupted access to the property. This should always be done with the assistance of an attorney.
