If you want to fulfill your dream of owning your own home, you first need a suitable building plot. How to find the right plot of land, what you should consider and what is important when buying, you will learn in this article.
How do I get a plot of land??
If you are planning a construction project, you should first check the budget. This is the only way to know how much money you can spend on buying land. The second step is about the location: In which location would you like to live? Ideally, make a list of important criteria that your future home should meet.
Finding a plot of land 1: Tips
- Look around on well-known online portals for a suitable building plot. There are also offers for building land in daily newspapers.
- Local banks or savings banks often broker plots of land – it is worth asking here.
- Make an inquiry at the building authority or city planning office. The city planners know exactly which areas will be designated as building land in the future.
- You can find out about foreclosure sale dates at the local district court. Possibly there is a plot of land that meets your requirements.
- Brokers or developers can support you in your search for a plot of land.
- Take a good look around the area where you want to build. Often there are smaller areas or gaps that are ideal for a small house. Here it is worthwhile to inquire at the responsible office.
- Municipalities or churches allocate plots of land on a ground lease basis. In this case, you do not become an owner, but lease the land for a certain period of time. Ask your municipality or church whether there are any offers for leasehold plots.
- Make your search known in your environment. If friends and acquaintances know that you would like to buy a building plot, they will keep their ears open and you will find out by word of mouth where building land is available.
- If you do not plan to build an architect's house, buying from a developer can be a possible alternative. In this case, you buy land and house from one source and do not have to worry about finding a suitable site.
Finding a plot 2: How to buy a building plot?
Not every building project is possible on every plot of land. That's why you should clarify various issues before buying land:
- What does the development plan look like? Can you build your dream house on this plot of land as you wish, or are there certain specifications, such as a prescribed roof shape, that you must adhere to?? Under certain circumstances, a preliminary building application may be useful.
- Is the property already developed or are there still costs for the connection to public utilities??
- You can obtain information about the development status of the plot from the municipality. It can also be helpful to inquire with the water and energy supplier to find out about the development status.
- What is the nature of the building site?? In case of doubt, you should commission a subsoil survey to check whether the construction can be carried out as planned.
- How was the plot used before? Could the soil be contaminated with pollutants??
Good to know: Municipalities designate different types of plots. Building is not possible on land for agricultural and forestry use. If the land is construction-ready land, the municipality has not yet decided whether the land will be zoned for construction. In the case of raw building land, it is clear that building is allowed, but the land has not yet been developed. If you buy land that is ready for construction, you can start building directly.
Finding a plot of land 3: What to consider when signing a contract to buy a building plot?
In order for the purchase of the land to be legally effective, the transaction must be carried out through a notary public. It is important to look at the land register beforehand to see if there are any encumbrances or restrictions on the property. The notary is required to include this information in the purchase agreement. In addition, the purchase agreement must include other key details:
- Details on buyers and sellers
- Exact name of the property
- Information on the status of the land under building law
- Conveyance (agreement on the transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer)
- Purchase price
- Time of ownership
- Warranties (liability for defects, for example in the case of encumbrances and inherited burdens not shown in the land register)
Conclusion: check the property carefully before buying it
In many regions it is not easy to find a plot of land. If you have found suitable building land for your project, it is important to first check whether the municipality has already designated the property as building land. In addition, it is essential to take a look at the development plan so that you can see whether the construction can be implemented as planned or whether there are any restrictions. Contacting the relevant building authority in advance is therefore highly recommended.