Tag Archives: How to buy land

11.03.14
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Enjoy Sailboat and Gulf Access with the Gratia Group Featured Lot of the Week

3428 SANTA CLARA DR

Boat enthusiasts are sure to love the Gratia Group Featured Lot of the Week, a beautiful Florida lot with sailboat and gulf access.  Located at 3428 Santa Clara Drive in Punta Gorda, Florida this lot also offers river and harbor access, giving boaters access to virtually every type of waterway in the city. Listed at only $55,000 this lot is located in the popular Harbour Heights area of Punta Gorda.

Harbour Heights is a cozy community nestled along the Peace River in Charlotte County, Florida.  This secluded community is particularly attractive to retirees and Baby Boomers.  With fewer than 3,000 residents, the community has the feel of a small town, where everyone knows their neighbors.  Enjoy the Florida outdoors under shady old oak trees at Harbour Heights Park, which has a boat ramp, fishing pier on the Peace River, picnic tables and barbeque grills, basketball, tennis and shuffleboard courts.  There are numerous public golf courses nearby, and the community park provides a tranquil place to relax.  Here the Harbour Heights Horticultural Society thrives, and the Women’s Club and Civic Association sponsor town events.  The nearby Deep Creek elementary school and park playground attract families and children.

The weather is always beautiful, and naturalists and bird enthusiasts abound, reveling in the Florida landscape, and the local bird sanctuary.  Whether you long for a view of the mangrove islands or a glimpse of an egret, dolphin or manatee, you are never far from the water.  Here you can canoe and fish to your heart’s content.  You can enjoy the nearby convenience of I-75, the Fort Myers airport, and Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda, where you will find restaurants, schools, entertainment, medical facilities, and grocery stores.

To learn more about the Gratia Group Featured Lot of the Week or any of our many land and lots for sale throughout South Florida, contact a member of the Gratia Group Land Team at (239) 333-2221.

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10.27.14
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Preview Florida Lots for Sale with Google Street View

Google MapsWhat if you could view Florida land investments for sale and “walk the neighborhood” without leaving your home? Well you can, using Google Street View!

How Does Google Collect Street View Images?

Google uses a fleet of cars that travel throughout Florida, the United States, and around the world.  Each car has one computer and a camera mounted on top.  Each camera has 15 lenses that take 360 degrees of photos.

How Do You Use Street View?

Open up Google Maps and search for a location that interests you.  The location can be an address, an intersection or just a street, city and state.  If the land itself does not have an advertised address, try to get the address of the house next door or the house across the street and enter that.

Click and drag the orange Pegman to the place you want to see.  To “walk down the street”, click on the white arrows overlaid on the street or use the up and down arrows on your keyboard.  Rotate the view to see 360 degrees using the wheel in the upper left corner.  You can play around with the Street View by clicking here.

Who is Pegman?

Pegman is one of my most valued staff members here at Gratia Group.  Using Google Street View, it’s like we send Pegman out to the parcel with a camera, direct his every move remotely, and he beams photos back to us.

How Can Land Buyers and Sellers Benefit From Using Street View?

You can research all kinds of things!

  • Slope and terrain (Is the parcel steeply sloped? Or is the terrain rolling or flat?)
  • Grading (Has a flat pad or driveway been graded on the parcel?)
  • Structures (Are there any outbuildings or other structures on the parcel?)
  • Utilities (Are there electric or telephone poles in the street?)
  • Water (Is there a fire hydrant at a street corner indicating availability of district water? Or is a water tank or well house visible on the land?)
  • Signs (Is there an old real estate sign or “for sale by owner” sign on the parcel indicating the parcel has been on the market awhile? Are there for sale signs on competing parcels nearby?)
  • Homes (Are there quality homes nearby or is it a rough looking neighborhood?)
  • Street (Is it paved or unpaved?)
  • Debris (Is there junk on the parcel? Is the neighbor’s property an eyesore?)
  • View (Does it look like there may be a good view from the land?)
  • Fenced (Is it fully or partially fenced? What kind of fencing is it?)
  • Cars (Are the cars parked on the street nice or old junkers?)

To learn more about how to view lots for sale in Florida through Google street view, contact an expert member of the Gratia Group team at (239) 333-2221.

09.29.14
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What is a Plat Map?

Plat MapDuring your research into a parcel of investment land for sale you have probably run across the term “plat” associated with it.  Plat is a term for a survey of a piece of land to identify boundaries, easements, flood zones, roadway, and access rights of way.  It is the legal description of a specific piece of real property and is required if land is to subdivided for building homes, creating parks, and setting aside rights of way.  Any change to the plat creates a replat which is still a plat.

This makes it sound like every piece of land is platted but that isn’t the case.  Platting only occurs in subdivided land and finding out if your property is platted is pretty simple.  If the deed describes the land by lot numbers within a subdivision, it has been platted.  If the land is described using metes and bounds, it has not been platted nor subdivided.

When you are purchasing property the title company will often include a plat map of the subdivision and parcel with the preliminary title paperwork.  This is very important to read and keep for future development on that property and to learn exactly where easements and other set asides are placed to eliminate any future headaches and extra work if the municipality comes in with a new roadway or utilities.

The plat map provides you with a tract number and probably the name of the subdivision itself if the builder has given one.  The lot numbers for each parcel in the subdivision will be shown along with the approximate lot dimensions.  The plat map shows you the shape of the parcel, an especially good piece of information if it is irregular.  Pie shaped and many sided parcels may have been carved out depending on the shape of the original investment real estate.  The plat map gives approximate dimensions, great to know for sellers and buyers.  The plat map also includes the builder’s lot number and a parcel number assigned by the county assessor’s office.

The definition of a plat pretty much tells you why plats are used.  The term is a way to describe land in a way commonly used across not only the real estate and building industry, but also for legal purposes. Most states and local jurisdictions require subdivided lots to be platted prior to building or sale.  As you may have guessed, platting has fees associated with it.

Understanding plats is one of the most basic requirements of dealing in real estate.  The plat tells you exactly what you are buying, what you have to sell, and what to take into account while planning the development of that lot.  To learn more about plat maps give Gratia Group a call at (239) 333-2221.

08.25.14
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Featured Property of the Week from Gratia Group: Double Lot with Great View in SW Cape Coral

Untitled

Gratia Group is happy to release a new Featured Property of the Week, a double lot with great views in SW Cape Coral.  This Cape Coral land for sale located at 4601 SW 26th Place Cape Coral, FL 33914 is in one of the most popular areas of the Cape for investment purchases.  Located on a highly desirable Gulf Access canal and a corner lot, this parcel is priced great for the area at $259,000 and will sell fast!

Southwest Cape Coral is one of the most up and coming areas of Cape Coral and land and lots for sale in this area sell fast as development in the region is on the rise.  The SW Cape is home to make parks, schools and shopping making it a very hot area for families and couples.  Located just a short drive from the nightlife of downtown Cape Coral and Fort Myers, the area is quite a convenient choice when purchasing Cape Coral lots.

To learn more about the Gratia Group Feature Property of the Week contact a member of the Gratia Group expert land sales team at (239) 222-3331.

 

08.18.14
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Determining Land Value

Land Values

The question of value is something that people selling and buying lots and acreage for sale struggle with.  What makes one piece of land more valuable than another?  You must consider this question: is the land a better value because it has more features, or is it a better value because it’s cheaper?  Some additional questions and considerations about property value should be: is this parcel more valuable because it’s closer to a city, or is this other property better because it has a beautiful view?  What if a piece of land has neither of these things, but it is close to land your family already owns?

 

The simplest explanation of the market value of a home site is that it is worth whatever people are willing to pay.  If someone is willing to pay $10,000 for a piece of property, that property is worth $10,000 and it is assumed that all properties around the first parcel are also worth around $10,000.  A few months later, a property several miles away may sell for $5,000.  The parcels between these properties are re-valued at $7,500, between the two prices.  This system of basing land values on nearby, comparable sales is something that real estate agents frequently use to place a value on a piece of land.  But this is really little more than an educated guess.

 

Local governments also involve themselves with property values.  They look at the market value of the property based on the last time it sold or on comparable sales in the area.  They then use that market value to come up with an assessed value.  The assessed value is often a percentage of the full market value.  This assessed value is what the county uses to determine how much they will charge in property taxes on that piece of property.  Sometimes the county looks at the market values every year and adjusts the assessed value accordingly, and sometimes they will only re-evaluate a property when it sells.  The assessed value might lag far behind rapidly changing market values an area.

 

When you are looking to buy a piece of property, it is good to look at all these types of value: market value, assessed value and comparable sales.  They can all be important tools for figuring out what a piece of land is worth. But it is even more important to look at what the land will be worth to you, personally.  Finding a piece of land that you will use and enjoy is much more important than looking at a particular price range.

 

To find the perfect piece of land contact a member of the Gratia Group Land Sales Team at (239) 333-2221.

 

 

 

 

 

08.11.14
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Gratia Group Featured Land Package of the Week: A Hot, Rotonda West Lot

Rotonda WestRotonda West is the site of this week’s Gratia Group Featured Land Package of the Week!  The property located at 1123 Rotonda Circle Rotonda West, FL 33947 is located on a freshwater canal and listed at only $35,000.

Rotonda West contains 8,000 home sites with over 5,000 homes completed and is experiencing rapid growth and features the hottest Florida land sales.  Residents are predominantly full-time homeowners and their families, as well as tenants and those who winter in the community.  Many investors have found common ground in the city, building up portfolios through many great deals.

Thirty miles of picturesque canals, lakes and ponds wind through the community and offer fishing and boating opportunities for its residents.  Many exotic and beautiful birds call Rotonda West home, as it is a designated Bird Sanctuary.  Nearby recreation facilities, beaches, theaters, sporting events, and fine restaurants are keep residents of Rotonda West busy!

To learn more about this priced to sell Gratia Group Featured Lot Package of the Week and how to purchase land, contact a member of the Gratia Group team at (239) 333-2221.

07.28.14
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Gratia Group’s Feature Land Package of the Week Takes Buyers to Rotonda West

Rotonda West

This week’s Gratia Group Featured Land Package of the week is a beautiful canal lot in the ever popular Rotonda West.  Located at 1123 Rotonda Circle Rotonda West, FL 33947, this lot is priced well for the area at only $35,000.

Rotonda West is a peaceful, planned community situated near the beautiful Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida and a great place for buying land in Florida.  It is located between Sarasota and Fort Myers.  The community contains 8,000 home sites with over 5,000 homes completed and is experiencing rapid growth.  Residents are predominantly full-time homeowners and their families, as well as tenants and those who winter in the community.

There are six golf courses operated by Rotonda Golf and Country Club.  Thirty miles of picturesque canals, lakes and ponds wind through the community and offer fishing and boating opportunities for its residents.  Many exotic and beautiful birds call Rotonda West home, as it is a designated Bird Sanctuary.  Nearby recreation facilities, beaches, theaters, sporting events, and fine restaurants are available for all those that buy FL land for sale in this real estate hot spot.

To learn more about the Gratia Group Featured Lot Package of the Week, any of our available Rotonda West Lots or any of our many land parcels available throughout Southwest Florida, contact a member of our Land Sales Team at (239) 333-2221.

06.30.14
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How to View a Potential Land Parcel Online

Locating that perfect piece of property is an ‘ah ha’ moment.  Perhaps you are seeking the perfect lot to add to your land portfolio or maybe you’re looking for a home site to build your dream home, but you know the moment that you find it.  Nowadays, many searches for potential land to buy are done totally on the internet.  You find that perfect piece of land, but how do you actually get to view it before you sign on the dotted line?

Many people are familiar with the process of buying existing homes online.  You search for your perfect home, narrow down your selections to view and contact a real estate agent to set up times to view the homes in person.  With land the process, can seem a bit untraditional, but is completely plausible that you can locate, research and view the perfect land lot totally on the Web!

#1 Photos:  If you aren’t able to view your property in person, the next best thing is a photo.  Either a photo of the general area or the actual property should give you a basic idea of the lay of the land and any potential issues you could run into if you were to purchase the property.

#2 Satellite Maps/Google Earth:  This tool is almost more of a toy if you are a map “nerd”.  All you need is access to the internet and the address or coordinates of the property.  Satellite maps are a great way to see what the property’s terrain looks like, what kind of roads are in the area, where a property is located in relation to nearby towns, amenities, and recreation and what kind of development surrounds the property.

#3 Street View/Google Maps:  Google Maps street view is an easy to use tool that will give you a ground view level of your potential property.  Keep in mind that street view is more accessible in highly developed areas.  In rural areas, use street view to get an idea of how the general area looks.

#4 Parcel Map:  These are generally the types of maps you see when you view a property in the Gratia Group catalog.  A parcel map won’t give you a great idea of what an actual property looks like, it can help you determine how your property compares to others situated sound it.   Parcel Maps can provide you with information about planned roads for the area, property location in relation to surrounding properties, dimensions and legal description.

To learn more about viewing land for sale online contact an expert member of the Gratia Group sales team at (239) 333-2221.

 

 

06.02.14
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Land Survey 101 for Land Owners and Buyers

Land SurveyLand survey, while not a requirement of buying Florida land, is a smart move if you choose to develop your land in the future.  You can still use, own and enjoy the land without a survey, but many first time land buyers choose to have a land or lot parcel surveyed for a variety of reasons.

First, let’s start with a definition as many land owners are unfamiliar with land surveys.  A land survey is performed by a land survey professional.  During a land survey, the surveyor will mark the physical boundaries of your land parcel and then later record the results with the county land records division.

There are certain times in land ownership when a survey will be needed or required.  These instances can include:

1)   When you want to develop your land and take a construction loan out to do so.

2)  If you choose to fence off a portion or all of your land and exact boundaries may be in question.

3)  prior to installing a driveway or creating or reevaluating an existing land easement

Price for land surveys vary by a variety of circumstances including:

  • Shape and size of your property
  • The state/county/city where your property is located
  • If a prior survey had been completed and markers are still present
  • Location of the property: how close to the survey office, how far off paved roads, etc.
  • Type of terrain and vegetation on your land parcel
  • Time of Year

To learn more about land surveys and purchasing lots and land for sale, contact an expert member of the Gratia Group Land Sales Team at (239) 333-2221.

05.05.14
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Why you Should Invest in Land!

Finding land to invest in isn’t a tough task to complete.  It’s actually quite simple.  You locate a plot of land, negotiate and make an offer, but when working through the land sales process you should employ a great deal of due diligence.

When you decide that purchasing land in Florida for investment purposes id for you, you should begin with an end in mind.  Consider if you want to invest in a residential or a commercial plot of land.  Then, verify the zoning on lot and see if any permits will be required.  Also, check traffic counts and planned road improvements for the area where your lot is located.  You don’t want to be surprised in the future when a six land highway is built next to your lot and the value falls drastically.  Also, keep in mind the cost of water and septic and verify that these utilities are already present.

One of the greatest rules in locating the perfect investment land is to never assume.  A piece of land could be great to the eye with a perfect location (perhaps on the waterfront or a golf course), but you need to ensure that it is suitable to build on.

Talking to local builders and the City Planning Board is a wonderful idea if you are planning on making a land investment purchase.  Both of these groups will be able to give you insight into future development in your area and steer you in the way of possible buyers for your land investment.

There are many advantages to investing in land including:

  • Land is a stable investment with a fixed value
  • Land is safer than stocks and produces higher returns
  • Land is a tangible investment
  • Land creates long term returns
  • As land becomes scarce in an area its value increases
  • Raw land is less expensive than developed land
  • The property taxes and maintenance on raw land is less than developed land

To learn more about making a land investment in sunny Southwest Florida contact a member of the Gratia Group Land Sales Team at (239) 333-2221.