Before You Buy Land

Free Rural Land Checklist

A screening-grade public-source starting point for common rural land red flags before making an offer.

Safety note: This checklist does not determine whether a parcel is suitable for your intended use. Parcel-specific review is still needed.
Open checklist page

1. Parcel identity

  • Parcel ID/account number
  • County/state
  • Acreage
  • Address/coordinates
  • Listing URL/screenshots
Notes / office to ask: ________________________________________________

2. Access

  • Road frontage
  • Private road claim
  • Easement/right-of-way documents
  • Road maintenance
  • Gates/locked/seasonal access
Notes / office to ask: ________________________________________________

3. Septic / wastewater

  • Septic/OSSF office
  • Existing permit or record
  • Perc/soil test
  • Setbacks
  • Floodplain/drainage conflicts
Notes / office to ask: ________________________________________________

4. Water and utilities

  • Power distance
  • Water supplier
  • Well needed or unknown
  • Groundwater district
  • Utility extension costs
Notes / office to ask: ________________________________________________

5. Flood and drainage

  • FEMA/local flood source
  • Floodplain administrator
  • Creek/seasonal creek
  • Wet-weather access
  • Drainage/culvert issues
Notes / office to ask: ________________________________________________

6. Restrictions and local rules

  • Deed restrictions
  • HOA/POA
  • Subdivision rules
  • County development rules
  • ETJ/city limits
Notes / office to ask: ________________________________________________

7. Terrain and site work

  • Slope
  • Wooded/rocky/ravine
  • Driveway feasibility
  • Clearing costs
  • Build-site visibility from maps
Notes / office to ask: ________________________________________________

8. Title and records

  • Deed
  • Plat
  • Easements
  • Liens/encumbrances
  • Survey availability
Notes / office to ask: ________________________________________________

9. Seller/listing claims

  • Buyer to verify
  • Unrestricted
  • Utilities nearby
  • Septic needed
  • Private road / owner financing
Notes / office to ask: ________________________________________________

10. Cost planning

  • Survey
  • Title/record review
  • Septic/OSSF
  • Utility/well checks
  • Flood/access/driveway/contingency
Notes / office to ask: ________________________________________________