"Luck definitely matters, but I'd argue that thorough research and due diligence can significantly tilt the odds in your favor."
Couldn't agree more with this. I've worked with plenty of folks who've bought land without immediate plans to build, and the ones who took the time to really dig into zoning, local development plans, and even neighborhood sentiment usually felt more confident about their investment. One client I remember spent weeks attending city council meetings and chatting with locals at coffee shops—sounds tedious, but it paid off big-time when a major infrastructure project was announced nearby a year later.
Of course, nothing's ever guaranteed, and surprises do pop up (like that one time a protected species was discovered nearby, delaying everything...). But generally speaking, the more informed you are upfront, the less you're leaving to chance. It's great to see someone emphasizing the value of due diligence—makes a huge difference in the long run.
That's a good point about zoning and local sentiment—definitely seen similar outcomes myself. But I'm curious, have you noticed if there's a sweet spot for how much research is actually helpful before it becomes overkill? I've had clients who dive so deep they end up second-guessing every decision, and sometimes miss out on good opportunities because they're stuck in analysis paralysis.
Also, your story about the protected species made me chuckle... reminds me of a client who bought a beautiful wooded plot, only to find out later it was home to some rare owl. Ended up being a long (and expensive) waiting game. Just goes to show even the best due diligence can't cover every scenario. Still, better informed than not, I suppose.
Haha, the owl story hits close to home—I once had a neighbor who discovered salamanders on their property and it turned into a whole saga. Makes me wonder, though, at what point do you just roll the dice and accept some unknowns? I mean, can you ever really research enough to dodge every potential issue, or is part of buying land just accepting you'll have to wing it sometimes...?
"I mean, can you ever really research enough to dodge every potential issue, or is part of buying land just accepting you'll have to wing it sometimes...?"
Honestly, I think it's a bit of both. My cousin spent months researching zoning, soil quality, even local wildlife migration patterns before buying a plot. Thought he'd covered everything. Then boom—someone nearby decided to build a motocross track. Total curveball. So yeah, due diligence helps, but isn't there always some random thing you never even thought to look into...?
"Then boom—someone nearby decided to build a motocross track. Total curveball."
Yeah, that's exactly it. When I bought my first plot, I thought I'd covered all the bases—checked zoning, flood risks, even chatted with neighbors about local quirks. But who knew the county would suddenly reroute traffic and turn my quiet road into a busy shortcut...? Guess there's always something you can't predict, no matter how thorough you are. Maybe accepting a bit of uncertainty is just part of the deal.
