Buying land in Sequim or Port Angeles to build your retirement home right now would be good timing on your part. Land sales are slower than home sales, and as a buyer of a lot, you would be in the driver’s seat as a negotiator. But every state, and every county has its own unique land issues. What issues do you want to check out before you buy a lot? Here is a checklist I developed as a real estate attorney many years go to be used specifically in this area.
| Perc Results | Fire Protection |
| Soils Report | Environmentally Sensitive Areas |
| Bluff Stability | Test Flood Plane |
| Toxic Waste | Test Wildlife Habitate (Owl Nests) |
| Buried Fuel Tanks | Industrial Noise |
| Road Work, Road Maintenance | Open Space/Forest Designation |
| Clearing Bypass/Freeway Construction |
Agricultural Designation |
| Survey Removal | Airport Approach |
| Exact Size of Property (corners) | Final Plat Recorded |
| Power/Hook-up Fees | Timber Clause |
| Water/Hook-up Fees | Telephone Access/Cost |
| Homeowner Association | Well (private, community, utility) |
| Legal Access to Property | Release Clause/Partial Reconveyance |
| Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions |
Possible Land Use Change |
| Re-Zone, Variance, Conditional Use |
Windy Area |
| Zone Compatibility w/present use | Shoreline Management Act |
| Comprehensive Plan & Zone Change |
Talk to Neighbors |
| Irrigation Ditches (run all/partial year?) |
Timber Cruise & Value of Timber |
| Wet Lands | Geotechnical Report |
Of course, not every issue is going to be a critical or relevant issue for the lot you may be thinking about buying, but the great thing about a checklist like this is that it reminds you not to miss anything big in your due diligence.
You can search all lots for sale in Sequim and Port Angeles if they are listed with a real estate agent at Search Sequim MLS Land Listings.
Last Updated on December 16, 2009 by Chuck Marunde
