I get the appeal of those oddball lots—sometimes the quirks really do hide value. But I’ve seen too many folks get burned by underestimating the headaches. That “funky access easement” can turn into a legal mess if a neighbor decides to play hardball, or if the county changes its tune down the road. I’m not saying don’t go for it, but sometimes a weird parcel is just… weird, and not worth the hassle. Due diligence is everything, especially when the price looks too good to be true.
- 100% agree on the due diligence part—those “too good to be true” prices usually come with a catch.
- I’ve looked at a few of those oddball lots myself. Sometimes the access is just a dirt path that’s technically legal but practically useless if you ever want to build or resell.
- One time, I almost bought a cheap piece of land that looked perfect on paper. Turned out the only way in was through a neighbor’s driveway, and they weren’t exactly friendly about it. Dodged a bullet there.
- That said, I’ve seen people make it work if they’re patient and willing to jump through hoops. If you’re handy with paperwork and don’t mind a little risk, sometimes you can get a deal.
- Just gotta weigh the hassle against the savings. If you’re on a tight budget, sometimes it’s worth poking around—but only after triple-checking everything with the county and maybe even chatting up the neighbors.
- At the end of the day, weird land is still land... but not all of it is worth the headache.
Funny you mention the “legal” dirt paths—I once checked out a lot that technically had access, but it was basically a goat trail through a swamp. The realtor swore it was drivable in dry weather, but I’m pretty sure you’d need a tank. I get the appeal of a bargain, but sometimes the hoops are just too much. Still, if you’re patient and don’t mind some weirdness, those oddball lots can surprise you. Just gotta know when to walk away.
Totally get where you’re coming from—sometimes those “bargain” lots end up costing more in headaches than they’re worth. But I’ve seen some pretty wild transformations when people stick with it and get creative. If the access is fixable, it can be worth the hassle. Just depends how much you want to take on.
If the access is fixable, it can be worth the hassle. Just depends how much you want to take on.
That’s a fair point—access issues can be daunting, but sometimes they’re not as insurmountable as they seem. I’ve worked with clients who saw “problem lots” as blank canvases, and with some ingenuity, turned them into really unique spaces. One project had a steep grade and everyone wrote it off, but we ended up designing a split-level home that actually made the most of the slope. It turned out to be the client’s favorite feature.
Curious—when you’re looking at these affordable lots, do you prioritize the potential for creative design solutions, or is it more about minimizing upfront complications? Sometimes a tricky site can inspire something truly original, but I know not everyone wants that kind of challenge.
