15 Things to Look for When Buying Land

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Lot Size

One of the first questions to ask when scouting out properties is how much land do you need. This is largely a matter of personal preference.

Do you want lots of space to take long walks with your dog without being disturbed by other people? More land opens up many possibilities, such as room for outbuildings and greenhouses, hobby farming and having fun with four-wheelers, dirt bikes or snowmobiles. The downside: higher upfront costs and property taxes.

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Proximity to Neighbors

When land shopping for your home or cabin, ask yourself how tolerant you are of annoying people. This may seem unnecessarily negative, but I can tell you from experience that even if your neighbors are saints, there’s no telling who could one day buy the property next door and start giving you grief.

In my experience, cottage and cabin country seems to attract more interesting characters than suburbia. Be prepared for annoyances like loud, untrained dogs; out-of-control livestock breaking down fences and tromping through your garden; and possibly even unsafe use of firearms within a stone’s throw of your door.

You may not need to deal with any of these issues. And you might decide you prefer close neighbors for social reasons. That’s fine. Just don’t assume they’ll always stay nice.

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