What You Should Know Before Buying Land.

If you are thinking that now might a good time to buy land, you’d be right. Whether you are looking for acreage where you can build that mountain get away or vacation home or simply looking for some investment opportunities, there are plenty of options. But what do you need to know about buying land in western North Carolina? Before you head out with your GPS in hand, do some serious thinking and know the answers to these questions.

Do you plan on having a walk out basement, a sprawling one story ranch, or just a little rustic cabin in the woods? It's important to have at least some idea about the size and configuration of your dream home so you can choose a parcel of land that is best suited for your needs. Decide what is important to you before you start looking.

How many bedrooms will you need? Unless you are building in an area that has a public or community sewer system, you'll need to have a septic system installed and septic systems are based on the number of bedrooms in a home. The land you build on has to be able to accommodate a septic system that fits your house plans or you won't be able to get a building permit.
 

Big Hill. Brevard, NC

Restrictions or no restrictions Many people who are moving here tell us they want to live some place where they don't have any restrictions. In most cases, these people are moving from congested subdivisions where the covenants restrict nearly every phase of their lives...or they've had a bad experience with an over zealous home owner's association. But unless you are buying land for farming, or raising livestock, sensible restrictions are not always a bad thing. They protect your investment and insure that your quality of life is not adversely affected by your neighbors.

If you are considering a deed restricted community, make sure you see those covenants and restrictions before you sign on the dotted line. Look for things like square footage requirements, the type of construction that is allowed (stick built vs modular vs manufactured), how long you have to complete your home once you start construction, any architectural requirements, dues and assessments, etc.

What kind of access is there? This is an especially important question if you are considering rural, unrestricted property. If the property is on a road with other homes, you'll want to find out how the roads are maintained, who is responsible for making sure they are taken care of, how are the expenses handled, and if any of this is in writing. If you have to cross someone's property to get to yours, make sure the access is deeded and that it's a recorded document.

How close do you want to be to every day conveniences? - Buyers often tell us they want to be away from everything. For some people, that's just fine. But for others, it's only fine for the first six months or so. Then that 45 minute drive to the grocery store starts to get old in a hurry. Before you decide on a piece of property, think about the way you live, or would like to live, and take those drive times into consideration. It's entirely possible to feel like you're away from the rest of the world, yet still be close to stores, medical care, and other every day conveniences.

Is this a good time to be looking for land? Hands down late fall and early winter is the best time of year to look at land here in the Brevard, Asheville, Cashiers, and Hendersonville area of North Carolina. During those 3-5 months, when the leaves are down, you can see the lay of the land, other neighboring properties, potential views, building sites, and really get a feel for the property because it's easier to walk it. Plus, if you're coming to the area for a few days of looking, hotel rooms are less expensive, and the temperatures are still quite pleasant for those who choose to camp out.

So come on, lace up your hiking boots and call the Clay Team. Now's the time to get out there and walk some land! These are just a few of the options you have when buying land in the Brevard NC area.
1.53 Acres in Glen Cannon Country Club - only $65,000
1.1 Acres in Mountain Brook - value priced at $49,900
1.26 Acres with great building site and bold stream - $26,000
3.49 Acres with paved roads, underground utilities, and no impact fees - $69,000

For a list of other properties for sale in the western North Carolina area, call the Clay Team right now at 828-551-6290 or 828-551-6291.  Or, visit us online at BrevardNCProperty.com.