What to look for when making a land purchase?

[s1rGr1nG0]

I am just using this http://www.landsoftexas.com/texas/la...xas/id/1408144 as an example of what we are looking for. NOT this specific piece of land

At some point in the future we would like to buy some land. Searching on the Lands of Texas website there are hundreds of listings for land all across the state. We are primarily looking in the Texas hill country. Anywhere from the San Antonio area up Killeen/Ft. Hood. I am looking for something rural and then commuting "in to town" for work. I drive nearly an hour each way to work now, Houston, so I know that an hour drive in the country could put us out pretty far.

What types of things should you look at, or look for, when considering acreage? I know the usual things like availability of water and electric to the property. My personal preference would be city water AND a well. What are some other things to consider.
Like I said, there are hundreds of these listings all across the state. Some are fairly remote while others are closer to "civilization. Our ultimate goal is to buy a piece of land and then have a metal barn/house built unless we can find one that already has something like that on it.

What did you look for when buying your land?

[txtrophy85]

Buying land differs with each buyer

What you looked for is described as a "commuter ranch"

Budget, as with any land purchase, is no. 1

Secondly, your gonna need to have electricity and water available if not already on the property.

City water is nice but that is a bonus, not an absolute. I would bank in having to have a well

Access is gonna be important so no easements, paved or very well maintained CR frontage is preferred.

Lastly, what are your uses? Hunting, cattle or a combo property?

These are some questions you need to ask yourself

Lastly, get with a knowledgable broker who knows what they are doing. Don't go at it alone

[1riot1ranger]

Had to be accessable. Realtor tried to show me one that he even had trouble getting too. After that, availability of water and electricity, any hunting restrictions (5 deer county?) evidence of game, neighboring properties, any buildings, blinds, etc with property.

[Chew]

You need to set up an account on landsoftexas and in your profile set your counties, price limits, acreage minimums, etc. That's what I did last year. It will send you an email when a new property pops up that meets your requirements.

[Dirtydirk]

Good luck

[s1rGr1nG0]

Buying land differs with each buyer

What you looked for is described as a "commuter ranch"

Budget, as with any land purchase, is no. 1

Secondly, your gonna need to have electricity and water available if not already on the property.

City water is nice but that is a bonus, not an absolute. I would bank in having to have a well

Access is gonna be important so no easements, paved or very well maintained CR frontage is preferred.

Lastly, what are your uses? Hunting, cattle or a combo property?

These are some questions you need to ask yourself

Lastly, get with a knowledgable broker who knows what they are doing. Don't go at it alone

Ultimately we are planning on living there full time. It may be a few years down the road but that is our goal. My wife and I are both in our mid-late 40's so we are starting to think about how we want to live down the road. We are growing wearing of "city life" and want something a little less hectic and simpler.

[PondPopper]

Taliban

[s1rGr1nG0]

Taliban

wut?

[txtrophy85]

Ultimately we are planning on living there full time. It may be a few years down the road but that is our goal. My wife and I are both in our mid-late 40's so we are starting to think about how we want to live down the road. We are growing wearing of "city life" and want something a little less hectic and simpler.

I would look at securing property then and building when you can.

Are you planning on commuting to Houston from there or are you gonna change locations?

Land in the hill country is gonna be higher around an hour or so to town than most places.

How big a place are you wanting?

[PondPopper]

wut?

Don't want them as neighbors.

[s1rGr1nG0]

I would look at securing property then and building when you can.

Are you planning on commuting to Houston from there or are you gonna change locations?

Land in the hill country is gonna be higher around an hour or so to town than most places.

Yeah, that was the initial plan, to buy the land first then build later.
No, I'm not planning on commuting to Houston. We are wanting to move away from here and relocate all together. I've already been doing some job hunting in other areas and have had a few hits. Just waiting to see how it pans out.

EDIT: We are wanting a minimum of 10 acres. I've seen 20+ acre lots in our price range in quite a few different places.

[txlawdog]

You need to set up an account on landsoftexas and in your profile set your counties, price limits, acreage minimums, etc. That's what I did last year. It will send you an email when a new property pops up that meets your requirements.

That is how I found my piece of Heaven, showed up on Lands of Texas before it was on the Realtor's website. Good luck, don't get in a hurry, gotta look at a lot of junk before you find the goldmine.

[Iehooligan11b]

I'm stationed at Hood. Let me know when ya find a place and I can move in
Lol. Goodluck.

[BrianL]

Things you can't add or are very expensive to add... Like water. Rivers, streams, ponds. timber or wildlife cover. High points for building. Be careful of flood areas as roads can be expensive to maintain if you have water drainage issues.

[Kdog]

Check for easements and talk to the neighbors. Don't assume you can get utilities, find out for sure.