Landlocked Property? Here’s How to Solve It

Sometimes that “perfect” property is lacking in one or two major ways. Fortunately, most of the time there’s a solution for those drawbacks, and with some time, effort, and a bit of extra cash you can resolve any issues and create a space that truly checks off all the right boxes for your needs.

So what if that problem has to do with land access? Landlocked properties are land parcels that lack any existing legal access points. And in addition to making it tricky to get onto your property, this lack of access is also a major hurdle when it comes to land development, since it complicates everything from setting up utility lines to bringing in building materials. 

Many potential land buyers might choose to walk away from a landlocked property. However, if you’re a savvy investor you might use this feature to your advantage in order to get a better price on a great piece of land. Key to resolving a landlocked property is simply to know what rules and regulations you’re working with – and to understand the potential risks and limitations that come with these types of purchases. 

Here’s a quick look at how to overcome the hurdle of a landlocked property and why it might be worth doing so.

Unlocking a Landlocked Property

Obviously, being able to access your property is a pretty big deal. And the good news is that even if your land appears to be completely landlocked, there’s a chance that legal access does exist – you just have to find it. 

The first place to start is by checking for existing easements that provide access to the land. These easements generally transfer to the new owner, regardless of whether the previous owner made use of them or not. If you find one, you’re in the clear to develop an access road. 

No apparent easement? Request a title report to make sure you’re not missing anything. It’s possible that relevant easement information does exist but it requires a bit more digging, especially if the previous owner held the land for a long time. 

If all else fails, contact a property attorney and try to obtain an easement yourself. Your attorney will be able to walk you through the entire process, including your chances of success. To increase those chances, make sure to find a lawyer with experience in this exact situation. Even better if they’re already well-acquainted with your local building and planning department. 

Is Buying a Landlocked Property Even Worth It?

Absolutely, though it helps to do as much research ahead of time to figure out your chances of bringing in access, rather than closing the deal and then finding out later on that it won’t be possible.

Benefits to consider with apparent landlocked properties include lower purchasing prices and, in some lucky cases, a hidden easement ready to go for those buyers who are diligent enough to look for it. As far as potential drawbacks go, keep in mind that without that easement access is not a guarantee, and there is a considerable amount of expense associated with creating a road to your land. 

Instead of letting issues like landlocked land keep you from getting your perfect property, look for solutions first. You may just be able to find a diamond in the rough and save yourself some big money on the purchase price.