Published date:
April 19, 2023Last updated date:
April 19, 2023By Manny Manriquez
It’s always a good idea to have a qualified professional by your side when you’re buying land. And no one offers more experience or knowledge than an Accredited Land Consultant (ALC), also known as a land REALTOR®.
Unlike everyday real estate agents, ALCs are certified land experts who have completed a rigorous course load through the REALTORS® Land Institute’s LAND University (LANDU) program and have a proven record of excellence in helping clients manage land transactions. Not only can they help you navigate the process with ease, but their support can also be instrumental in ensuring you get the best possible property at the best possible price.
Any ALC can be a big help, but it’s worth it to take your time and choose a land REALTOR® who truly understands your goals and communication preferences. So how do you find them? Here are five of the top questions to ask before hiring a land REALTOR® and beginning the land search process.
Even an expert has certain areas where their skills are more useful than others. In the case of a land REALTOR®, it helps to know what sorts of land deals they’re most well-suited to offer support with, especially if you have complex transactional needs that require a bit of extra know-how.
A good land REALTOR® is willing to do heavy research to ensure a property is zoned and regulated for your needs. A great one, however, has this information on hand and can walk you through all of the relevant guidelines and restrictions as you search and tour various land options.
Buying land is rarely a straightforward process. In addition to an attorney and inspector, you may also need access to specialists such as land surveyors, soil testers, engineers, contractors, and more, and it helps to work with a land REALTOR® who already has some trustworthy names in their pocket.
Any land REALTOR® worth their salt will be doing more for their clients than simply sending over curated land listings. Comprehensive support on this front means offering hands-on guidance through every step of land buying, including financing, planning, and transactional paperwork. This is also a good question to help you learn about your REALTOR®’s communication style and just how responsive they’ll be on a day-to-day basis.
There may be additional fees associated with the services your ALC offers. To mitigate any surprises later on, find out from the get-go what you can expect in terms of cost. Keep in mind that while you may end up spending more to work with a land REALTOR® than a standard real estate agent, it’s almost always going to be worth it for what they can bring to the table.
Ready to find a land REALTOR® that checks off all the right boxes? Use the REALTORS® Land Institute’s Find a Land Consultant tool and begin your search today.
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