Show 1 I I vs S On O m s Fo For L Land There is just one way to ze get exactly the right house in r.- r. exactly the right location bu buy y 1 r some land and build This adice ad ad- vice ice in the current issue o of Changing Times the Ki Kiplinger Magazine includes the follow to 12 critical points which m should be checked before a 5 r 11 land land purchase is made TilE THE ENVIRONMENT NT Th The e big point to remember is that the surroundings will not remain re re- main mam forever as the they y a are re when rr the lot first is viewed vie Today's r serene pastoral setting can become cloverleaf interchange oil tank farm or i l apartment development t g e Check the count county planning t office to find out what uses k are arc proposed for all aU the land surrounding the property c SIZE AND shape w. w a plot looks larger in its natural natural natural na- na tural state than it does docs after i it is built upon In rectangular t lots 65 feet across the front and feet in depth is mini- mini mal An irregular shape is not p necessarily a problem but it should be studied carefully to make certain it is not Topography Is the lay of r the land suitable for the type to be built upon it extensive changes in grade levels will be necessary it maybe may maybe be wise to search further Good drainage is essential the land should be somewhat higher than streets or roads that give access to it it SOIL AND subsoil Ideall Ideally the soil should be stable and free of large rocks If it willbe will willbe willbe be necessary to install a septic septic sep- sep septic tic system have a percolation i test made to determine whether er the soil soll is suitable Any doubts about subsoil subsoil- conditions conditions conditions condi- condi should be resolved by a civil engineer Boundaries Have a survey made and lOd get permanent markers placed on the corners of the property properly Surveying the typical lot only costs 50 orso or orso orso so and will reveal any encroachments encroachments en en- on the property DEED restrictions The use that can be made of the land may be limited by restrictions restriction s that run with the deed Have JIa Havea a lawyer lawer check for booby traps Zoning Look into the zoning zoning zon zon- ing for it governs what you may do and what future neighbors ma may do TAXES DUE An Any unpaid taxes axes from Irom the past must be paid aid up to make a clear transfer transfer trans trans- fer of title In addition there will vill be taxes due for the curent current current cur- cur rent ent tax year These should be rated pro between the buyer buy buy- er and the seller Special assessments Find out whether any special assessments assessments as as- assessments for or a drainage district district district dis dis- roads or some other improvement im im- improvement provement pro are arc payable and ad arrange for their settlement before accenting title tille EASEMENTS Have a lawyer lawyer lawyer law law- yer check for the existence of any easements casements on the property proper proper- ty and explain their significance cance to you Utilities Determine whether gas electricity water sewerage sewerage sewerage sewer sewer- age services are available a and how much it will cost to take advantage of them SOLAR orientation A lot that runs north and south provides provides pro pro- vides sides more opportunity for sit sit- ing a house to take advantage of the suns sun's warmth in the winter and to avoid its fiercest fiercest fiercest est glare in the summer On a large lot of course the house can be turned to present its best face to the sun regardless of the lots lot's orientation |