Washington County, WI – My eyes are naturally drawn to eyesores.
It’s easy to focus on the bright spots when looking at properties.
The acreage fits what you were looking for. The location is perfect. There’s a small creek that flows through the property. The house looks to be in good condition.
But let’s take EVERYTHING into consideration. Let’s look at what could go wrong. Let’s focus on all the aspects of the property.
Acreage – Yes, the property could be the size you’re looking for, but how is the acreage broken up? Is it high land or low and wet? Are the property lines a weird shape?
Location – It’s in the area you’d consider. What activity is going on around the property? Could a rural retreat be right next to a potential subdivision? Is everything you need to get access to accessible in winter?
Features – Water features are cool, but they come with certain restrictions that need to be monitored. Shoreland zoning and wetlands are real things. County and other government bodies can regulate them, drastically changing what you can and can’t do on a property.
Structures – On the outside, they may appear ready to use, but a deeper dive can reveal potential issues. Looking at rooflines, the foundation and the mechanicals are all important. Inspectors that work in specific fields are great resources to look at the property.
I’ll always recommend buyers perform due diligence on a property and gather as much information as they can.
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This will include contacting local, county, and state governing bodies about the property. Inspections and testing can also be added to further gain insight into a property.
Don’t skip ahead to closing without knowing what you’re buying.
Al Wisnefske
Broker/Owner | Land & Legacy Group LLC
Al Wisnefske is the Broker/Owner of Land & Legacy Group and has been named a Top 500 Broker by Milwaukee Real Producers. His #1 philosophy is: “Relationships over Transactions.” Through his LEGACY Process, he helps rural property Buyers and Sellers build and sustain their legacies. This has provided him and his company with numerous raving fans. He is a multi-million-dollar producer specializing in land, farm, and country home sales in Southern Wisconsin.