08/05/2026
Dreaming of owning land? 🌱 Before you fall in love with the view, here are 5 things you NEED to know before you buy. Land is a whole different game than buying a house — and these are the details that make or break a deal 👇
1. Water & water rights 💧
Is there water on the property — and do you have the legal right to use it? Wells, surface water, and water rights don’t automatically come with the land. Always confirm what you’re actually getting.
2. Zoning & restrictions 📋
Zoning determines what you can (and can’t) do with the land — build a home, raise animals, run a business, subdivide. Check the zoning and any CC&Rs or restrictions before you assume.
3. The Williamson Act 🌾
Land under a Williamson Act contract gets big property-tax breaks in exchange for keeping it in agricultural use. Great savings — but it also limits how you can use or develop the property, and getting out isn’t quick. Know before you buy.
4. Utilities ⚡
Don’t assume the basics are there. Look into electricity, wells (water), septic, propane, and solar. Bringing utilities to raw land can cost more than the land itself.
5. Access & easements 🚧
How do you legally get to the property? Make sure there’s proper road access, and understand any shared easements — who maintains that road, and who else has the right to use it.
Buying land is one of the best investments you can make — when you do it right. That’s exactly what I help my clients navigate. 🏡
Mariah Earl, REALTOR®
eXp Realty | Land & Ranch
DRE 02090006
📲 707-372-4217
🌐 mariahsoldit.com
