Buying Land

[Gr8ful]

ook it up, there is a 2nd tornado alley now, new one, tornadoes had shifted.

I did look it up & didn't find Michigan in any Tornado alley. Since 1882 2.4 people per year have died in tornadoes about 1/2 or 116 died in 1953.
Are tornadoes common in Michigan?

No, tornadoes are uncommon in Michigan, but they can still occur:

Frequency: Michigan averages 15–18 tornadoes per year

Season: Most tornadoes occur in the spring and summer, primarily in the late afternoon and evening

Speed: Tornadoes typically travel at 30 mph, but can reach speeds of up to 70 mph

Duration: The average tornado in Michigan lasts less than 10 minutes on the ground and travels about 5 miles

Warning time: The average lead time for a tornado warning is 10–15 minutes

 

[Gr8ful]

In Michigan you're more likely to die by lightning than tornadoes. 3 people per year.

 

[Gr8ful]

Look it up, there is a 2nd tornado alley now, new one, tornadoes had shifted.

Please post proof of Michigan being in a new tornado alley,Thanks

 

[Gr8ful]

100s of THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE LEAVING FLORIDA!​

 

[Gr8ful]

39 acre log cabin with well & septic $69k I'm sure sold but shows what's available

 

[Lorelei072]

I am starting this new thread specifically for those of us who think buying a hunk of land is a good idea. Whether as an individual or a community. We have already had some conversations in another thread and in PMs. So, we are not looking for discussion about IF we should do this. Only about the how, when, and where of it all.

My mother and I bought a 4-acre wooded lot in Georgia paid with cash from my late brother’s life insurance policy. The deed is supposed to be unrestricted but the county zoned it as low-density residential in an agricultural community. I thought that would be fine but the neighbor called the board of health and said we were “camping” on the property and that’s apparently illegal. We only get 2 hours to occupy the property. Unclear if that’s a cumulative 2 hours or 2 hours per visit. But dispersed camping 30 minutes away in NPS land is a thing. Unless someone calls the NPS police on you and steals your gear.

The board of health has to certify the septic system. But there’s no plans to build on the property. How do we install a septic system with no house, no water, and no power? The property was intended to serve as a refuge should the SHTF but now the government is demanding money that we don’t have & documentation that we never wanted to file.

No one has ever (colloquially) camped or spent a night on the property. But the legal definition of “camping” covers any imaginable human activity. I once hung wet clothes on a tree branch there so I’m in violation of “camping” on property that’s free & clear. There must be a certified septic system.

Imagine what the North Carolina hurricane victims are dealing with.

 

[rruff]

How do we install a septic system with no house, no water, and no power? The property was intended to serve as a refuge should the SHTF but now the government is demanding money that we don’t have & documentation that we never wanted to file.

The "karens" are definitely being empowered. Probably don't like how you "look"... or maybe they were nailed by the same stupid law and don't want you getting away with it...

You don't need any of the things you mentioned to have a septic installed. You just need $$$.

There are very few places left in this country where you can poop in a hole and pour a wee bit of water on the ground on your own land, and not be in violation of the law. Doesn't matter how many acres your own. Land of the free, baby.

 

[bullfrog !]

The "karens" are definitely being empowered. Probably don't like how you "look"... or maybe they were nailed by the same stupid law and don't want you getting away with it...

You don't need any of the things you mentioned to have a septic installed. You just need $$$.

There are very few places left in this country where you can poop in a hole and pour a wee bit of water on the ground on your own land, and not be in violation of the law. Doesn't matter how many acres your own. Land of the free, baby.

Not to mention the costs of permitting and inspections!

 

[Gnome In Plaid]

My mother and I bought a 4-acre wooded lot in Georgia paid with cash from my late brother’s life insurance policy. The deed is supposed to be unrestricted but the county zoned it as low-density residential in an agricultural community. I thought that would be fine but the neighbor called the board of health and said we were “camping” on the property and that’s apparently illegal. We only get 2 hours to occupy the property. Unclear if that’s a cumulative 2 hours or 2 hours per visit. But dispersed camping 30 minutes away in NPS land is a thing. Unless someone calls the NPS police on you and steals your gear.

The board of health has to certify the septic system. But there’s no plans to build on the property. How do we install a septic system with no house, no water, and no power? The property was intended to serve as a refuge should the SHTF but now the government is demanding money that we don’t have & documentation that we never wanted to file.

No one has ever (colloquially) camped or spent a night on the property. But the legal definition of “camping” covers any imaginable human activity. I once hung wet clothes on a tree branch there so I’m in violation of “camping” on property that’s free & clear. There must be a certified septic system.

Imagine what the North Carolina hurricane victims are dealing with.

You bought a piece of property with the understanding that the deed was unrestricted. However, the deed is not unrestricted and you are not able to use the property for the purpose for which it was purchased. Therefore, the real estate agent and or the previous owners committed fraud by telling you that you could use it for whatever purpose you had told the real estate agent that you were buying it for. That makes the deal null and void. Contact the agent and tell them you want your money back and you will sign off on the deed. If it truly is unrestricted, make them correct the deed and send you a corrected copy at no charge to you, since you didn't make the error. Contact the tax assessor, who knows about the zoning status and the who, what and why the zoning was changed, and ask him about the process for building on the property. To have a septic tank installed used to involve having a perk or perc (percolation) test for how far down the ground water is, and how well your septic and drain field would drain. You may have had to start by having an electric pole and meter installed first thing, but you didn't know the correct procedure to follow. Since none of that was done before you purchased the property, it may not even pass a perc test. This makes the land worthless to you, as you cannot put a septic tank there. (If you can't put a septic tank there now, it's because the land is too swampy - that's not good for your long term health and not what you bought it for.) You need to have an inspector come out and tell you the ins and outs of your land. The tax assessor has software in his office so that he can bring up your property on his computer. It'll show the survey lines and the lay of the land, so you will know which way water flows when there's heavy rains/floods. Frankly, I know a couple of tax assessors, and it would not surprise me if yours was continually checking your property by satellite view to see what you are up to. They could be wanting you to come into their office so you can meet and they are going to ask you what you plan to do with the land. If you don't do something, they will increase your property tax because it's no longer homesteaded by the original owner, and you haven't homesteaded it either. You're going to have to educate yourself on real estate purchasing in your area, and/or have your real estate attorney look things over. Frankly, I'd rethink about living here, if it's already this screwed up. You didn't plan on building on it, it's just for a refuge, but what kind of a refuge will it be without water, septic, or power, and a nosy, complaining neighbor when we are still in the "good old days"?

 

[Gr8ful]

All the deed does is convey ownership. You should have checked with the zoning & building departments before buying. Taxes will be a few $$ on a small PC of unimproved land.

 

[twomountainlions]

Deed restrictions arent the same as county zoning, from legal standpoint. Deed can be unrestricted but county zoning can be present. Deed restrictions are written into the deed or attached as CC&R. County zoning is completely separtate.

 

[twomountainlions]

My mother and I bought a 4-acre wooded lot in Georgia paid with cash from my late brother’s life insurance policy. The deed is supposed to be unrestricted but the county zoned it as low-density residential in an agricultural community. I thought that would be fine but the neighbor called the board of health and said we were “camping” on the property and that’s apparently illegal. We only get 2 hours to occupy the property. Unclear if that’s a cumulative 2 hours or 2 hours per visit. But dispersed camping 30 minutes away in NPS land is a thing. Unless someone calls the NPS police on you and steals your gear.

The board of health has to certify the septic system. But there’s no plans to build on the property. How do we install a septic system with no house, no water, and no power? The property was intended to serve as a refuge should the SHTF but now the government is demanding money that we don’t have & documentation that we never wanted to file.

No one has ever (colloquially) camped or spent a night on the property. But the legal definition of “camping” covers any imaginable human activity. I once hung wet clothes on a tree branch there so I’m in violation of “camping” on property that’s free & clear. There must be a certified septic system.

Imagine what the North Carolina hurricane victims are dealing with.

Have you discussed your plans with the local authority?
Not sure what kind of refuge you are plannig. Natural refuge?
Placing a conservation easement over the land and transferring it into a non-profit may resolve accusations of trying to live there but zoning might not allow a refuge.
If you are only allowed to camp 2 hours at a time it doesn't sound like it'd be usable land for you, especially without a lawyer. Developing land will get expensive real fast.

 

[Gr8ful]

As in any purchase you must do your due diligence & not rely on what someone tells you.

 

[twomountainlions]

I did look it up & didn't find Michigan in any Tornado alley. Since 1882 2.4 people per year have died in tornadoes about 1/2 or 116 died in 1953.
Are tornadoes common in Michigan?

No, tornadoes are uncommon in Michigan, but they can still occur:

Frequency: Michigan averages 15–18 tornadoes per year

Season: Most tornadoes occur in the spring and summer, primarily in the late afternoon and evening

Speed: Tornadoes typically travel at 30 mph, but can reach speeds of up to 70 mph

Duration: The average tornado in Michigan lasts less than 10 minutes on the ground and travels about 5 miles

Warning time: The average lead time for a tornado warning is 10–15 minutes

Michigan is not in tornado valley, but new valley is right South of it. I studied tornado frequency in MI only UP was safe from my standpoint

 

[Gr8ful]

Contact the tax assessor, who knows about the zoning status and the who, what and why the zoning was changed, and ask him about the process for building on the property.

The tax assessor doesn't handle that, the zoning building departments do.

 

[twomountainlions]

That land cant get homestead tax rate until its developed, and it must be already taxed at high rate as it officially had never been developed as residential

 

[Gr8ful]

Michigan is not in tornado valley, but new valley is right South of it. I studied tornado frequency in MI only UP was safe from my standpoint

Like I said you're more likely to die by lightning than a tornado & I had one take down a 320k hanger at the airport.

 

[twomountainlions]

Like I said you're more likely to die by lightning than a tornado & I had one take down a 320k hanger at the airport.

Some of us just dont like any tornados. I had spent time around tornado prone areas not comfy.

 

[rruff]

You bought a piece of property with the understanding that the deed was unrestricted. However, the deed is not unrestricted and you are not able to use the property for the purpose for which it was purchased. Therefore, the real estate agent and or the previous owners committed fraud by telling you that you could use it for whatever purpose you had told the real estate agent that you were buying it for. That makes the deal null and void.

We live in the USA where a good percentage of the population makes a very good living (or even becomes president) by lying. You need irrefutable documented proof and lots of $$$. I tried this once and the entire ordeal was so unpleasant, soul draining, traumatizing, and unsuccessful... that I'll be unlikely to ever try again.

 

[bullfrog !]

We live in the USA where a good percentage of the population makes a very good living (or even becomes president) by lying. You need irrefutable documented proof and lots of $$$. I tried this once and the entire ordeal was so unpleasant, soul draining, traumatizing, and unsuccessful... that I'll be unlikely to ever try again.

Even regaining land you own and kept current taxes payed on can be taken from you in certain situations in certain states as my family found out when our invalid uncle passed. Buying land and not developing it to a point it is livable on a regular basis is risky.