Pros and Cons of Buying Vacant Land in San Diego County

Aerial view of San Diego countryside.

When you first start out, the process of purchasing property and constructing your dream house may be quite intimidating. There are a few significant decisions to make first. Do you want to start with a large purchase? Or do you want to collaborate with a constructor from the start? Whatever option you choose, you will still need to select the ideal plot and discover the right builder for you. It’s okay if you don’t know where to begin! There is no right or wrong way to start building a home, but working with a qualified contractor can greatly benefit at every stage. Continue reading to discover more about the benefits and drawbacks of buying vacant land in San Diego County. 

The Pros of Buying Vacant Land in San Diego County

Low Entry Barrier

Buying a vacant lot can save you a lot of money compared to buying a lot that has already been improved. Becoming informed and browsing through the properties should be your first step. If the two properties were otherwise identical, the one with the building would be worth more. The property owner still has to pay to have any buildings on the property taken down, even if they aren’t useful.

Maximum adaptability

When you own raw land, you can do whatever you want with it within the bounds of your local building codes and zoning restrictions. Building a house with a sizable front or back yard is possible. You are even probably thinking of doing that. You will lack services that would make your life better and simpler, so make sure to visit Consumer Opinion to inform yourself. When it comes to commercial real estate, you might have your choice of several different building types. Or perhaps a single massive building with several smaller outbuildings.

Low Carrying Costs

The cost of owning a home, including taxes and insurance, is typically lower if the owner has a mortgage. Even if you have to do maintenance on your lot, like mowing the grass or taking out the trash, it will probably be cheaper than keeping a building in perfect shape on the site.

Less Maintenance 

One of the best pros of buying vacant land in San Diego County is that investments require far less maintenance. If you’re not doing any remodeling, your only worries will be aesthetic ones. Vandalism, plumbing, and electrical problems will be nonexistent. Since you would not be haggling with renters, you might wait to start advertising the home until it was time to sell. You won’t need significant upkeep or labor for your undeveloped land.

Appreciation Over Time

Until some external factor, such as erosion or an earthquake, has an effect on the property, it will typically remain in the same state as when it was purchased. Unlike a building, which deteriorates over time if not maintained. As a result, vacant land tends to follow market trends, so you should be familiar with market reports. Because of this, they may be better long-term investments than improved properties, which tend to lose value if they don’t get frequent capital improvements.

Possibility of Significant Appreciation

Undeveloped land could be a lucrative investment for those willing to take a chance. In some cases, the land prices in areas undergoing a change from undesirable to desirable can skyrocket. This can happen on a large scale and a small scale. Therefore, be on the lookout for these changes. And you don’t have to limit yourself locally; broaden your search to other cities and areas. Moving away can be a great way to start from scratch. But remember, moving to your new place could be challenging and exhausting, so it is essential to find the right help. Especially if you’re moving long-distance. 

Cons of Buying Vacant Land in San Diego County

Approvals and Permits (Zoning)

You should research its zoning to know precisely what you may and cannot build on a piece of undeveloped land. In fact, consulting with a professional might be your best option. It’s essential to keep in mind that the number of lots that can be built on your new property directly reflects the zoning regulations in your area. It could take a long time to develop because you may need many permits and approvals (more than a designed metropolitan site). Regular communication with the local government is also required to get the land’s development on track.

There is no infrastructure.

Permissions are required because of this. Because your undeveloped area does not yet have infrastructures like plumbing or electricity, developing the land entails installing such amenities. 

Do you plan to connect to public utilities? If needed, you can install a well and septic system. Is there any plan for solar or wind power generation at the site? The time and money spent fixing these problems will be deducted from the overall project budget, so it is essential to plan ahead. Also, if the site is large and not yet built, you will need to plan for roads and paths so that construction crews can move around when the time comes.

There is no immediate cash flow.

Undeveloped land is cheap and full of possibilities, but it can be slow to pay off. You will delay anticipated revenue flow for quite some time without a way to generate income immediately from the property. Real estate taxes will continue to be a cost, however. To paraphrase real estate mogul Dave Van Horn, “Without rental income, you may need to get creative to pay the bills.” In the meantime, you might find a new use for the land or decide to sell off some of the property or the rights to it (such as mining or gaming rights).

 

Investing in unoccupied property may be appropriate if you’re an experienced investor with the expertise and know-how to tackle a challenging undertaking. You can utilize an empty lot to your advantage financially, but only if you play your cards well and do your research before buying vacant land in San Diego County.