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.

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