Self Builders

pickupaproperty are the UK's leading source of property to renovate, but what if you want land to build on? We can recommend www.plotsearch.co.uk.

How do you find a plot of land?
Read our top tips from land-finding experts www.plotsearch.co.uk

The first port of call for anybody who's serious about finding a building plot or development opportunity is Plotsearch where, at any one time, over six thousand properties are listed.

Finding the right plot or development opportunity needs luck and perseverance. Many people look for ages and fail to find what they want. Many just pick up a plot, almost at will and many seem to just stumble onto a plot when they're least expecting it. You need to be proactive.

Get to know all of the good streets and all of the ones where you really wouldn't want to live. Make yourselves aware of values in the area that you will be building in and, above all, get to know the people. Word of mouth can be so important in finding a plot.

Drive or walk around the area looking for potential plots and don't be afraid to ask if you see a gap in the street or an obvious plot. Look out for areas where there has been obvious infilling in the past and where, perhaps, a house sits on a larger than average plot that has access to the highway. Look out for streets where new homes have been built in the large rear gardens of houses with access down the side of the original.

Study the planning register at the local planning office. On that you'll see a note of all the planning applications that have been made in your area. Concentrate on those for single dwellings, houses or bungalows. Make a note of the applicant's agent. That might be an agent who doesn't want to sell you that piece of land. So write to the applicants, who may well live next door, and tell them of your interest. Tell them you're not developers but would be self builders. Tell them that if they ever want to sell you'd be delighted to hear from them and that you'd be happy to pay a fair market price. Maybe nothing will happen. But just as maybe, a few months down the line when the agent's introduced a builder who's offered less for the plot, who is taking a long time to complete the legalities and who is trying to get planning permission for a house that's much bigger than the owners would have liked, they may give you a ring.

If you do see or find a plot that you want, don't hang about. Decent plots don't stay on the market for very long and you need to get there immediately, make your mind up quickly and move fast to secure it.

For more information or to speak to an expert, visit www.plotsearch.co.uk or call 0870 870 9991.


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