What do I need to buy land in California?

Hey Khai! Buying land in California starts with finding the right property and verifying that it’s suitable for your plans. Search land listings online, then check local zoning, access to utilities, water availability, and building restrictions with the city or county planning department. Always conduct due diligence and get a professional feasibility review before purchasing. Ready to find land in California? Contact me, your realtor, and I’ll help you explore available properties and determine which ones fit your goals! Diya Sarin | DRE 02095684 📞 818.799.7230 📧 [email protected] 🌐 diyasellsla.com IG: diyasellsla

* Work with a local Realtor who has experience with land sales. * Check zoning to see what the property is legally allowed to be used for (residential, commercial, agricultural, etc.). * Confirm the land is buildable by checking with the city or county planning department. Ask about building restrictions, setbacks, minimum lot size, and whether the property has legal access. * Verify utilities such as water, sewer (or septic), electricity, and gas. Bringing utilities to vacant land can be expensive. * Review environmental and hazard maps, including flood zones and fire hazard areas. * Obtain financing or proof of funds. Many land purchases require a larger down payment than a home. In California, local zoning ordinances, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and local building regulations may affect what can be built on a property. If the land will need a septic system, well, or grading, additional county or state permits may be required. The best way to find land is through the MLS with a Realtor, as well as other reputable real estate websites. Before you buy, always verify buildability with the local planning department—not just the listing description.

Hi Khai, the financing note above is right (land loans typically want 20% or more down, and construction-to-permanent loans are the common path if you plan to build). Let me answer the part of your question nobody touched: how to figure out if a piece of land is actually buildable, because in California that is where land deals live or die. Before you fall in love with a parcel, run this checklist: - Zoning and minimum lot size. The county or city planning department will tell you what can be built on that parcel and whether your plans fit. Ask specifically about setbacks, height limits, and any overlay districts. - Water and sewer. Is there a municipal hookup, or will you need a well and septic? If septic, the soil needs to pass a percolation test, and a failed perc test can make a lot nearly worthless for building. - Power and access. How far is the nearest utility connection, and who owns the road between the street and your building site? Legal access via a recorded easement is not the same as a dirt path the neighbors tolerate. - Fire hazard zone. Much of California falls in designated fire severity zones. That affects building requirements, and it seriously affects the cost and availability of insurance. Check this early, not at closing. - Environmental and special overlays. Wetlands, protected species habitat, coastal zone, or floodplain designations can add years to a project. - Grading and geology. Sloped or fill lots can carry six-figure foundation costs. A soils report is cheap insurance. For finding land: much of it never hits the big consumer sites, so an agent with MLS land access plus county parcel maps will surface more than online searching alone. I am a real estate professional in Los Angeles and the South Bay. For Hollister and San Benito County I would be happy to connect you with a land-savvy local agent from my network. Zoltan

Khai, in order to determine the buildable parameters, you would need to speak with the local municipal board. They will probably require a formal inquiry which would require plans and such. Good luck with your project! Keith Jean-Pierre Managing Principal The Dapper Agents Operations In: NY, NJ, FL & CA

Hello, if you plan on receiving financing to buy land you will need to discuss with a lender if you would like to purchase the property with a land loan (requiring 20% down) or a construction loan, which now requires a licensed contractor to be assigned. If you would like to determine if the land is buildable you would first contact the city or county in which the parcel is located in. This way you can confirm zoning and the permit process timelines & regulations. From there an engineer can be contacted & a soil survey can be done, a lot of times sellers will have information available as well. You can contact me at 209-445-0807 for lender recommendations, help searching & purchasing vacant land, & for any construction related questions. My real estate partner is a CA licensed general contractor and will be happy to provide you with more information.

If you need help with the buying/building process, please reach out at (209)215-7000. I can help with finding lots/land and then get you in touch with a general contractor as I also work for a construction company in the bay area. Here is the construction company website for more information. https://akalbuildtech.com We can assist you throughout the entire process.