Each piece of land is uniquely beautiful. Development of that land does not mean it needs to lose or compromise that beauty. Creating a higher use and a higher value of land can be done in a sustainable and thoughtful way. At Empire Construction we believe that the land development process is not one that should be rushed, but one that carefully considers every aspect of the existing landscape and surrounding details.

There are 8 things to consider before developing land:

The extra steps required of investors to successfully develop land extends beyond finding and purchasing it. There are several factors that investors will need to consider every time they evaluate a piece of land. While it may seem intimidating now, these elements will become second nature over time. Until then — review the following things to consider before developing raw land:

1. Engineering: A crucial aspect of the raw land development process, particularly early on, is to have any plans reviewed by an engineer. Some real estate investors may have a background in this field, but it is important to find a qualified engineer to work with. These skilled professionals will integrate all portions of a property development plan and determine its feasibility. This means considering earthwork, utility hookups, infrastructure, and other amenities. In some cases, the master engineer can even find areas to reduce costs in the overall development.

2. Understanding The Land: Anytime you are considering purchasing or developing a piece of raw land, it is important to visit the site. Like traditional investment properties, a walkthrough can reveal aspects of the land you may not have noticed. Walking the area could uncover hidden amenities, unique landscaping, accessibility issues, or even existing power hookups. These surprises could impact the purchase price, development process, and viability of the land. It is always a good idea to walk around the area to ensure you find any surprises, both good and bad, that can come with purchasing raw land.

3. Spatial Awareness: One of the most important pillars of successful raw land developments is spatial awareness. When purchasing raw land, you need to understand how to maximize its use and profitability. This often comes down to understanding the best ways to utilize the plot — whether it be a residential or commercial development. Keep layout, storm management, and transportation in mind as you map out development plans — these will help you optimize for livability and usage.

4. Tasks, Roles, & Responsibilities: You might be able to get away with a one-person team when working in residential real estate — but even under perfect scenarios, that is not the case when developing raw land. Investors should expect to work with several other professionals throughout the development process. Take time to find the right people for your project, communication style, and business goals. Outline and divide responsibilities as necessary — proper management will help you keep your project on budget and on time.

5. Start From The Outside: When it comes to new developments, investors should quite literally plan from the outside in. This means designating lots and structures before planning the specifics of the buildings. By doing this, you can place your focus on reducing the amount of earthwork and grading required and even take advantage of the natural layout of the area.

6. Streets & Roads: While streets and transportation are a critical element of developing land, these elements can wait until much later in the process to be planned. This is because developers typically need to focus on maximizing land usage and livability (specifically in residential developments) first. Ideal street and road locations will likely arise as you plan the rest of the development — so try to avoid focusing on this task first.

7. Topography: If there is anything to take away from the land development process, let it be this: pay attention to the features of the land. Topography is crucial for understanding the characteristics of the land and strategizing its usability. There are great resources out there to map out property developments and work around the geographic elements of an area. Make use of those available to you and your team to ensure you fully consider the topography of an area before purchasing land for development.

8. Be Creative: Raw land development can be a great strategy for investors who love full creative freedom on a project. With developments, you are truly starting from scratch on a property. While there can be obvious constraints due to budget, timing, or land availability, there is a lot of room to get creative when planning a new build. Don’t be afraid to explore new ideas or real estate technologies when planning a development — as unique features have the potential to really pay off when you finally start marketing the property