That's a solid suggestion—local agents have saved me from headaches more than once. Insurers can get picky over the weirdest things...like a client whose property got flagged because of an old, unused well. Better safe than sorry, right?
That's exactly why I always recommend clients do a thorough site evaluation before committing—even if they're not planning to build immediately. Old wells, septic tanks, or even buried debris can trigger insurance red flags or zoning headaches down the line. Had a client once who discovered an abandoned septic system only after closing...talk about an expensive surprise. A little extra due diligence upfront can save a lot of stress (and money) later.
Good points all around. I'd add a couple more things I've learned the hard way:
- Check for easements or rights-of-way. Had a project delayed months because of an overlooked utility easement.
- Soil testing—even if you're not building yet, knowing upfront if your land can support septic or foundations is huge.
- Talk to neighbors casually if you can. Sometimes they'll mention flooding issues or past dumping that official reports miss.
A little legwork upfront saves headaches later...trust me on this one.
Great advice, especially about chatting with neighbors.
"Talk to neighbors casually if you can. Sometimes they'll mention flooding issues or past dumping that official reports miss."
I've found neighbors often know stuff you'd never uncover otherwise. Curious—has anyone here dealt with zoning changes after purchasing land? Seems like another potential pitfall...
Neighbors really do have the inside scoop sometimes. When we bought our place, zoning wasn't an issue at first, but a few years later the city tried rezoning nearby land for commercial use. It was a headache—meetings, petitions, the whole nine yards—but we managed to push back and keep it residential. Definitely something worth keeping an eye on... zoning can change quicker than you'd think.
