Looking to buy building lot

WinnisquamZ · 05-07-2020, 11:38 AM

I have my eyes on a building lot in the area. Looking for advice on what to look for and what to avoid. Has current septic plan and plot layout. Not near the water.

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AC2717 · 05-07-2020, 11:54 AM

wet lands. wet land set backs, and areas that could be perceived as wet lands when going for your building permits

Hillcountry · 05-07-2020, 12:07 PM

Also “flood plains” will bite you in the ass with insurance costs...get a survey.

ApS · 05-07-2020, 12:32 PM

Old maps of Lake Winnipesaukee show shoreline lot lines—and some lots are labeled "Unbuildable". What drew my attention to that labeling is the shoreline area around Alton Bay.

So, old maps away from the shoreline might be worth looking up.

Slickcraft · 05-07-2020, 01:52 PM

Contact the code enforcement officer/building inspector about that specific lot. Ask him/her about any known issues. The Town will have a folder with the septic plan, etc. Ask to look at the folder. If it was part of a subdivision ask to look at the approved plan. In most counties you can look up the deed online. Review the deed for any restrictions or ROWs. Look at the septic design plan and the PERC test data for hints on ground water level.
http://www.nhdeeds.com/

There is a state web site where you can look at data for drilled wells in the area. Look at how deep they had to drill, how far down to ledge and how much water.

The major cost unknowns will be site work related: well, septic and foundation.

TheTimeTraveler · 05-07-2020, 08:04 PM

AVOID any lot that may have had an underground oil or gas tank at some time in the past...... Possible contamination issues that then become your problem.

WinnisquamZ · 05-07-2020, 08:58 PM

I thank you all for the advice

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Descant · 05-08-2020, 01:16 PM

A lot in a subdivision is a lot (oops) different than buying 30 or 100 acres. The subdivision may already have done a lot of this before approval. After all, the developer wants to know, and his investors want to know, how many salable lots the'll get.
If you're planning to buy and then build, talk to a banker. A construction loan can be a lot more complicated than a simple mortgage on a finished product consisting of land and finished structure. Sometimes more expensive as well as hassles. After that call, talk to another bank too. Procedures can vary widely.

Slickcraft · 05-08-2020, 01:42 PM

Another town related item to look at is the zoning ordnance which can usually be downloaded online. In addition to setbacks, look at the allowed uses in that zone. If any nearby lots are vacant you will learn what "could" be built near you.

Irish mist · 05-09-2020, 01:33 PM

Watch out for ledge on the property. It cost a friend over 30k to dig it up. When I built I ran into about 4k worth of it.

05-07-2020, 11:38 AM	#1
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 1,890 Thanks: 192 Thanked 593 Times in 398 Posts	Looking to buy building lot I have my eyes on a building lot in the area. Looking for advice on what to look for and what to avoid. Has current septic plan and plot layout. Not near the water. Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

05-07-2020, 11:54 AM	#2
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,521 Thanks: 747 Thanked 344 Times in 257 Posts	wet lands. wet land set backs, and areas that could be perceived as wet lands when going for your building permits __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

05-07-2020, 12:32 PM	#4
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,788 Thanks: 2,084 Thanked 742 Times in 532 Posts	Unbuildable Lots? Not Today... Old maps of Lake Winnipesaukee show shoreline lot lines—and some lots are labeled *"Unbuildable". What drew my attention to that labeling is the shoreline area around Alton Bay. So, old maps away* from the shoreline might be worth looking up.

05-08-2020, 01:16 PM	#8
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,030 Thanks: 1,208 Thanked 1,509 Times in 982 Posts	Who will build? A lot in a subdivision is a lot (oops) different than buying 30 or 100 acres. The subdivision may already have done a lot of this before approval. After all, the developer wants to know, and his investors want to know, how many salable lots the'll get. If you're planning to buy and then build, talk to a banker. A construction loan can be a lot more complicated than a simple mortgage on a finished product consisting of land and finished structure. Sometimes more expensive as well as hassles. After that call, talk to another bank too. Procedures can vary widely.

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05-07-2020, 12:07 PM	#3
Hillcountry Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: In the hills Posts: 2,346 Thanks: 1,589 Thanked 763 Times in 457 Posts	Also “flood plains” will bite you in the ass with insurance costs...get a survey.

05-07-2020, 01:52 PM	#5
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and West Alton Posts: 3,216 Thanks: 1,172 Thanked 2,000 Times in 914 Posts	Contact the code enforcement officer/building inspector about that specific lot. Ask him/her about any known issues. The Town will have a folder with the septic plan, etc. Ask to look at the folder. If it was part of a subdivision ask to look at the approved plan. In most counties you can look up the deed online. Review the deed for any restrictions or ROWs. Look at the septic design plan and the PERC test data for hints on ground water level. http://www.nhdeeds.com/ There is a state web site where you can look at data for drilled wells in the area. Look at how deep they had to drill, how far down to ledge and how much water. The major cost unknowns will be site work related: well, septic and foundation.

05-07-2020, 08:04 PM	#6
TheTimeTraveler Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 818 Thanks: 257 Thanked 259 Times in 157 Posts	AVOID any lot that may have had an underground oil or gas tank at some time in the past...... Possible contamination issues that then become your problem.

05-07-2020, 08:58 PM	#7
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 1,890 Thanks: 192 Thanked 593 Times in 398 Posts	I thank you all for the advice Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

05-08-2020, 01:42 PM	#9
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and West Alton Posts: 3,216 Thanks: 1,172 Thanked 2,000 Times in 914 Posts	Another town related item to look at is the zoning ordnance which can usually be downloaded online. In addition to setbacks, look at the allowed uses in that zone. If any nearby lots are vacant you will learn what "could" be built near you.

05-09-2020, 01:33 PM	#10
Irish mist Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 682 Thanks: 122 Thanked 85 Times in 49 Posts	Watch out for ledge on the property. It cost a friend over 30k to dig it up. When I built I ran into about 4k worth of it.