7 Best Tips for Buying Land for Sale in Florida

Land for sale in Florida by the beach on a sunny day

 

Florida’s lovely flat properties, sunny environment, beautiful views, stunning beaches, picturesque wetlands, and hardy pine woods have made it one of the top relocation destinations. Due to strong demand, however, the available land to accommodate population expansion is scarce. So, if you’re ready to invest in land for sale in Florida, why wait? Check the seven top tips and buy the perfect lot in the Sunshine State today!

Determine Development Restrictions 

If you plan to develop on the site, access to utilities is essential, but other factors may be equally significant yet sometimes ignored. The types of development allowed on the property may depend on easements and land-use restrictions. Before buying acreage for sale, it’s always a good idea to inquire about potential limits with the planning and zoning department. The zoning regulations and rules in Florida differ from county to county. 

Confirm the Availability of Access

Accessibility issues may arise for a property that is off the main road. Before making an offer, confirm that the land is legally accessible. Unannounced closures of roads that pass across neighbors’ properties are always possible. Also, don’t just rely on other people’s goodwill. Before buying the property, be sure you will have legal access. Also, find out who is in charge of road upkeep. You might not be financially prepared for Florida road maintenance and repair costs.

Check Zoning and Land Planning Uses  

Consider the county’s long-term land-use strategy while looking for vacant land in Florida. This document, which you may obtain from the county planning and zoning office, will inform you of any upcoming construction that might impact the property you’re eyeing. You might decide not to invest in property that will soon undergo modifications or a tract that will soon be home to a waste-processing facility.

Conduct Survey and Title Search

In addition to a thorough title check, you might wish to have your property surveyed. Look for utility and landlocked property easements. If building is your goal, you should check into anything that can prevent you from doing it. Also, confirm the property has a legal title. The document should confirm that the seller has the right to sell the land free, clear, and with no liens.

Do Utility Check

Make sure utilities are available and easily accessible if you intend to develop the site in any way. The majority of urban and rural development uses municipal water. However, you might want to conduct a perc test and estimate the costs of drilling a well if your neighborhood uses septic systems. Also, find out if running services cost extra. Occasionally, these expenses might go into the thousands of dollars, so it’s good to know about them upfront. 

Be Aware of Wetlands And Flood Zones 

The county GIS maps, FEMA flood maps, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service can all be used to locate Florida’s wetlands and designated flood zones. A parcel of land may not currently be a wetland or a flood zone, but that doesn’t guarantee it won’t be in the future. You can purchase a lovely piece of land classified for residential or mixed-use, only to find out in a few years that it has been turned into a wetland or a flood zone. If you can look at flood zone maps from previous decades, you will get a good notion of how quickly they are growing or contracting and will see that flood zones tend to expand yearly. 

Check for Alternative Housing Restrictions

There are various housing limitations in several Florida counties. This shouldn’t be an issue if you want to build a standard house, but if you want to build a different kind of house, you will need to know which counties actually permit them. For instance, some counties forbid RVs, mobile homes, or modular houses. If you want to construct an alternative home, hunt for a piece of property in one of the Florida counties that permits such construction.

Is Land for Sale in Florida a Good Investment?

Florida is an excellent place to buy real estate due to its distinctive topography, stunning beaches, scenic marshes, and robust pine forests. In addition, outstanding undeveloped acreage is available for building your dream home, living off the grid, or starting a ranch. Although land for sale in Florida isn’t the most affordable in the US, given its worth and potential for future growth, this state offers you the best opportunity to diversify your investment portfolio and enjoy the benefits for many years.

Moreover, the GDP of Florida is among the highest in the nation. Naturally, a vast workforce is needed to run an economy that size; thus, many job options exist. Some leading industries in the state include aviation, financial services, information technology, manufacturing, distribution, and tourism.

There are numerous cities in Florida where housing, healthcare, and other goods and services are less expensive than the national average, even though major cities like Miami aren’t the most economical to live in. As a result, you can relax knowing that living in Florida won’t break the budget. For instance, Jacksonville’s cost of living is almost 6% lower than the national average.  

Final Thoughts

Investing in a scarce asset will inevitably pay off in the long run. Florida offers not only ample natural beauty but also great quality of life, so it’s an obvious choice for many land investors. But, while you can rest assured you’ll find plenty of beautiful properties around the state, you must be careful before making an offer.

To be sure you are buying the perfect property that will satisfy all your wants and needs for the land and has no hidden surprises, consider working with land professionals like Discount Lots. Our team is always ready to help make your dreams of owning land in the Sunshine State turn into a reality.

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