Finding
Land & Plots - Hints and Tips
Some of these
may be very obvious, but as finding land
is often the most challenging aspect of
any Self Build, it doesn’t hurt to go
back to basics.
Network
- Mention that you are looking for land
to friends, relatives and colleagues.
You may be surprised at what or who they
know.
Estate Agents
– The Estate Agent is your best friend
at least until you find your plot! If
possible, go and see them face to face
rather than speaking over the telephone,
as they will view you as a more serious
prospect. High Street Estate Agents are
not normally instructed to sell land,
but occasionally they will have an old
house that needs knocking down and rebuilding
on a lovely plot.
HINT - You will make a friend for life
if you give them a tip off on a house
that’s due on to the market, and they'll
be keen to repay the favour.
Don’t
restrict your search to the big names
or those with the glossiest advert in
the local paper, most towns have a little
Estate Agency which has been trading for
many years. Stepping into their office
will be like stepping back into the 1950’s.
They very likely have a surveying department,
which makes up the majority of their income.
They have a surprising insight into what
is available.
Put your own
classified ad in the local paper. Make
it clear that you are an individual rather
than a company as a company will very
likely want to pay below market value.
Auctions
– Every Tom, Dick and Harriet looking
for a plot will no doubt be using this
avenue as well. Don’t restrict yourself
to the Auction Houses who are established
in your area, for some reason some vendors
instruct companies who are based a long
way from the plot. Keep an eye on the
local papers as those companies will likely
place a small classified advert promoting
that plot.
Surf the net
– There are a myriad of online companies
trying to get you to sign up for there
services, most will charge a fee but some
will search for free. If you do decide
to pay make sure that the same information
isn’t available free of charge somewhere
else.
Right
Move
is an excellent resource for finding land
you can set up an account to send you
an email when something becomes available.
Google
Earth – Some of the bigger developers
use online mapping to get a literal birds-eye
view of where houses with big back gardens
or potential plots are located. This is
a real long shot and even if you spot
something you have to find the owners
contact details and hope that they want
to sell.
For a small fee you can find out who owns
a plot using the Land
Registry online Service.
Look
out for new developments – Sometimes large
developers will be willing to sell you
a piece of land within one of their developments.
Finding Service
– For a fee of anything between 1% and
3% you can employ a finder to do all of
the legwork for you. Some of our clients
have used a company called The
Property Finding Service who seem
to do a great job of finding plots.
If
you're a Developer or a serial Self-Builder,
put a sign on your current site advertising
who you are and telling passers by that
you are ‘Always looking for land’.
Direct mail
– Seen a plot that you like? If there's
an existing house on the site drop a note
through the door expressing an interest,
alternatively drop into the local pub
and get chatting with the Landlord and
locals.
Keep
in touch with Solo Timber Frame – We occasionally
have clients who due to a change of circumstances
have decided to sell rather than build,
tell us where you are looking and we’ll
let you know if something comes up.
GENERAL HINTS:
Be quick,
if it’s a good plot you will not be the
only person viewing.
Have your
funds ready, if you can promise a quick
sale you have a better chance of securing
the land.
Sell your
dream to the Vendor, tell them about you
and your family and how passionate you
are about the plot, invite them for a
glass of champagne when the house is finished.
Good luck
and don't give up, finding good plots
isn't easy, but it is worthwile!
