What to look for when buying a land plot

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

We'll have to sort out the documents, local plants and how to assess the species.

1. Geometry of the site

The most successful option is with even borders, square or rectangular, with an aspect ratio of about one to two. It is good if the area of the site is quite large. Otherwise, the neighbors will be too close to each other. Of course, ideal sites are not so common. But knowing these criteria will help you assess what you are willing to sacrifice, and what - never.

It will be nice if the plot is flat, without pits and bumps, dilapidated trees. All this is fixable, but it will require additional costs.

Pay attention to whether land surveying has been carried out and whether the boundaries of the site have been clarified. This may not be the case if it was formed before 2000. To clarify the issue, find a site on the public Rosreestr by the cadastral number. Actually, the very presence of such a number is a good sign. It is even better if the boundaries of the territory are indicated on the map. Otherwise, ask the owner to conduct a land survey.

2. Purpose of land

Plots are of different purposes, and you cannot do whatever you want with them. So it is important that the territory fits your goals. For example, if you decide to build a house and live there all year round, a plot is suitable for you:

• For individual housing construction on the lands of settlements (IZHS). On such a site, the Land Code of the Russian Federation can build capital structures, draw up temporary or permanent registration in them. This is the most obvious choice for your goals.
• For running personal subsidiary plots (LPH) on the lands of settlements. In general, such plots are intended for growing crops and raising animals, but the addition of residential buildings is allowed. Registration will be fine too. But if this is a private household plots on agricultural land, then buildings are prohibited here.

In some cases, capital structures are allowed on the lands of horticultural non-profit partnerships. But only if the site is located within the boundaries of the territory, in relation to which the town planning regulations apply. In this case, the parameters of the site must correspond to the parameters of the IZhS object.

There are many rules, and in any incomprehensible situation it is better to consult with a lawyer, so that later you do not seek a building permit through the court and not be sad about wasted money.

You can find out the purpose of the site on the same public map of Rosreestr by the cadastral number.

3. Environment

While looking at the public map, feel free to see what kind of lands are located around you. Even if there are no buildings there now, their purpose may hint at possible problems. For example, if you have an area dedicated to industry nearby, then an unpleasant factory may grow there.

For a better understanding, you can refer to the master plan. It is usually available on the website of the municipality and tells how the area will develop. Perhaps there will be a school, a clinic and a playground nearby. It can also be a noisy road or a monstrous high-rise building. It is better to know about all this in advance.

4. Transport accessibility

Even if you plan to lead a hermitic life, sometimes you will need to leave the site. Therefore, it is important to understand whether you can do it. So notice if there are roads and what they are. Asphalt is better than unpaved, because the latter can wash out.

Find out if the tracks are being cleaned and who is responsible for them. For example, if these are lands of populated areas, Federal Law of 06.10.2003 N 131-FZ (ed.of 23.05.2020) "On the general principles of organizing local self-government in the Russian Federation" points (according to the permitted type of use, and not according to your assumptions), then the roads are under the jurisdiction of the local municipality. If agricultural, then you have to do it yourself.

It is important to know how things are with public transport.

Even if you have a car, it's a good idea to have alternative ways to move around. Another essential criterion is the throughput of the track. Traffic jams are so-so fun, so a busy destination can make you change your mind.

5. Communication

When buying an apartment, you get a connection to water supply, sewerage, electricity and (if provided) to wholesale gas supply. When purchasing a plot, everything is not so simple. Certainly, the opportunity to connect to engineering and technical networks adds points to the chosen option.

But at the same time, you need to pay attention to the distance to the required node. Still, there is a difference - to pull 10 meters of pipe from the main or 300. Some options have alternatives. For example, the central sewerage system is extremely convenient, but there are septic tanks. You need to take all this into account and calculate the additional expenses before you buy a plot.

It is better to find out the details in the organizations that are responsible for the networks. They will tell you not only about the distance to the connection points, but also about the availability of free capacities. If they are not there, then the pipe nearby is useless for you.

6. Belonging to the security zone

Sometimes communications can be nearby, but not the ones that are needed. For example, there is a main pipeline and an underground cable nearby. Or the site for other reasons is included in the security zone. Therefore, it is possible to dig, build or perform some other work only with the permission of the relevant authorities or not at all.

You can learn about encumbrances from the Unified State Register of Real Estate.

7. Infrastructure

Much depends on what you need the site for. But it is definitely worth taking care of the proximity of the shops and the hospital. You may not need the latter, but if you still suddenly have to contact, then you will be glad that you took this factor into account. If on the site you plan to build a house for year-round living, the presence of a school and a kindergarten, circles, cafes, fitness centers and so on may be important. So evaluate the infrastructure in terms of lifestyle and intentions.

8. Security

This factor is difficult to assess objectively. But many do not think about it at all, but in vain. For example, you want to build a house for a year-round stay in a summer cottage village. But all the neighbors are leaving in winter. Will you be comfortable alone among the snowdrifts? And in a house in the middle of a clean pole, where no one, except you, has yet had time to line up?

9. Groundwater level

The soil layer saturated with water can occur at different depths. And when buying a plot, it is important to understand which one. If the groundwater rises high, then it will be very difficult to build a basement or cellar. They will be flooded at least in spring during floods. And the usual foundation is not always suitable - it is often replaced with a pile foundation. This is also bad for planting: waterlogging can be no less destructive than drought.

At the same time, if the artesian layer of groundwater is very deep, then it will be difficult and expensive to drill a well before it. And this is important if there is no other source of drinking water on the site.

The easiest way to find out how things are with the groundwater is to interview your neighbors.

If their basements are flooded every year, this speaks volumes about the state of affairs. Also ask what depth the neighbors of the well have. Playing as a young naturalist will also help: moisture-loving plants will indicate a high water level. For example, if willow and cattail grow on the border of the site, this does not mean anything good.

Another way that will help clarify the situation while the site does not belong to you is to work with archives. It is worth contacting an organization dealing with hydrogeology in your area. Or ask companies offering well drilling services. Usually they know everything and can share information with you for money.

10. View

It is supposed to be fine by default. But sometimes little things come into play that you just might not pay attention to. For example, if there is a four-story "castle" on the border with the site, its residents will see everything that happens in your yard. This can get annoying pretty quickly. Or there is an electric pole in the middle of the plot. It seems convenient, but often infuriates aesthetes. In general, appreciate the view with all the tediousness you are capable of.

11. Neighborhood

This is not only about the owners of neighboring plots, although this is certainly important. Maybe there is a gazebo nearby, where local youth have fun until morning, or a beach with noisy visitors. This will cause some inconvenience.

12. Local problems

It happens that there are local, non-obvious problems on the territory. Say, especially biting midges live here or the wind brings a smell from a distant landfill. Or maybe in the summer, due to the heavy load on the pipeline, water does not reach all houses. You need to learn about such problems from all sources: from potential neighbors, from local groups in social networks, news.

13. Ownership

Only the owner can sell you a plot. Ownership is confirmed by an extract from the Unified State Register of Real Estate.

At the same time, in the statement, see if the site is on bail or under arrest.

It is possible that the “owner” simply rented the land with the right of assignment. Then the buyer becomes a tenant - no more.