Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Land from Time To Buy Land
Are you a Realtor? No, I am not a Realtor. That career is in my past, but I prefer to buy and sell my own properties, the same as any other For Sale By Owner. Because these are my own properties it ultimately gives you a much better deal when it comes to your Land purchase.
Do you provide Owner Financing? In some cases, yes, up to 36 months. Feel free to contact me for terms that meet your budget. with no prepayment penalties or balloon payments. You can always put more down and to have less monthly payments, or put less down with higher monthly payments, that's okay too. When using Seller Financing, I pay for the Document/Recording Fees which are included in the total payments received so you're still getting a good deal without paying extra.
How can I buy from you? When you're ready to buy, scroll down on the page for the property of interest, and click on the black bar to place your deposit in order to hold it for you. I prefer that you contact me so I can receive your information for the Agreement to purchase as soon as possible, since I will mark the listing as Pending Offer and I'll need to discuss which payment option works best for you in order to prepare the proper legal documents to your satisfaction.
What if I change my mind after I made a deposit? No worries. I offer a 15 day due diligence period so that you can be sure the property you are wanting to buy works out for you. This means, you'll need to contact the County office to verify all of the information I've provided and to check on any matters of concern to you for wherever the property may be located. Make other calls if necessary to other service providers, etc. It's all part of your due diligence. Fifteen days is enough time to make sure you want to proceed so we both know if we can move forward or if I need to remarket it to someone else. If you're not able to proceed with the purchase, notify me in writing within that 15 day due diligence period so I can refund your full down payment.
Are there any “hidden” fees I am going to be charged after I agree to the purchase? Everything is disclosed on each property listing so you know exactly what you're paying for. Your initial deposit holds the property which begins your due diligence period. Monthly installments will begin one month after your due diligence period ends and is non refundable going forward. Your deposit is fully refundable during your 15 day due diligence period, so if for any reason you find you cannot proceed you will receive a full refund on all paid during that first 15 days. Once the purchase price is paid in full I will then grant the Deed to transfer the property into your name making you the full legal and rightful owner.
Do I need an attorney or real estate agent?
I have done my best to simplify the buying process with straightforward, easy-to-understand agreements. However, I encourage buyers to have a professional review the contract if they feel the need. After all, I do. It helps to have a professional on your side.
Do you work with any Title or Escrow Service Providers?
I work with Title and Escrow service providers on higher priced properties; however, on bargain priced properties less than $10K I prefer to keep the costs down so you won't end up having to pay more. By closing with the County office directly where the property is located you save a lot when you know what you're doing! Once I have the Deed Notarized & Payment in full has been made, the recording process is fairly easy when going direct to the County. If however, you as a buyer, feel more comfortable with paying for the services of a Title/Escrow provider, I have no problem with proceeding with that, as long as you're aware that that cost will be a buyer responsibility. Title/Escrow companies base their fees on a scale, whereby whatever you pay under $10K is the same fee you'll pay as if the property sells at $1K-$50K. This is why it is best that all filing and recording as deemed necessary with the County Recorder/Clerk's office be done directly with the County in order to pass the Deed of Ownership onto the buyer without all of the added fees. But that's up to you. I will be glad to work with you either way.
How can I make arrangements to inspect the property before I buy it?
Please do, or at least have someone in the area report back to you with photos and details too! It's always best to see it in person though. I like to provide as much information as you need to locate and visit the property on your own. The land isn't going anywhere. It will be there when you're ready to see it, with or without me. Many times I am no where near the property, or the timing may be off, but you're free to go at a time that is convenient for you to check out the land and the area on your own. Just be aware that until your initial deposit is received, I will not hold it for you in case someone else pays first. The first person to make a deposit guarantees them the right to decide whether or not they want to proceed during their due diligence period of 15 days without risk of losing anything. I give everyone a 15 day due diligence period as shown in the Agreement that I send following the deposit to hold the property.
Can I use the Land while Under Contract to Purchase?
Please check with me prior to camping out or RVing on any property. Some Counties, and/or Cities/Towns have ordinances against such things, and I wouldn't want to place anyone in any way of harm. Although camping and RVing may be permitted on some properties, it does not mean they all are. There may also be camp fire restrictions in place for the properties where camping or RVing is permitted, so please check with me first before going out so I am aware of your plans and intentions. Until the property is legally yours I request that you do not start to build on the land until that time when it legally becomes yours by means of the Deed being recorded, UNLESS you've received a written agreement from me allowing for any changes on the land.
When do I get the Deed to the property?
Once the property is paid in full I will issue your Deed for you to review first, which I will then have notarized and record it with the local county upon your final payment for any properties under $10K. Otherwise, the Title/Escrow company will handle all matters in recording. I will pay for the cost of recording. You will receive a preliminary copy and receipt of the recording and then once it's recorded the county will mail the Deed to you, which could take anywhere from a few days to receive it or longer depending on the County's workload, but they should record it right away the day they get it. You're always welcomed to call the County Clerk's Office to ask questions where the property is located, for your own peace of mind. Once validated and recorded at the county recorders office, you then own the property. The county will then mail you the original recorded deed for your records.
Do I have to use a Credit Card for the Deposit to Hold the lot?
No, the link to make the deposit to hold is for convenience sake only if you do wish to use a Credit Card. However, PayPal and/or Zelle are also easy ways to make the deposit using my email address TimeToBuyLand@gmail.com. However, please reach out to me so I can remove the deposit button, so no one else can make a deposit. Otherwise I'll need to refund the 2nd depositor right away, but I'd rather work with one person than upset another. You can text, call, or email me through the Contact tab at the top of this website.
Are you a Realtor? No, I am not a Realtor. That career is in my past, but I prefer to buy and sell my own properties, the same as any other For Sale By Owner. Because these are my own properties it ultimately gives you a much better deal when it comes to your Land purchase.
Do you provide Owner Financing? In some cases, yes, up to 36 months. Feel free to contact me for terms that meet your budget. with no prepayment penalties or balloon payments. You can always put more down and to have less monthly payments, or put less down with higher monthly payments, that's okay too. When using Seller Financing, I pay for the Document/Recording Fees which are included in the total payments received so you're still getting a good deal without paying extra.
How can I buy from you? When you're ready to buy, scroll down on the page for the property of interest, and click on the black bar to place your deposit in order to hold it for you. I prefer that you contact me so I can receive your information for the Agreement to purchase as soon as possible, since I will mark the listing as Pending Offer and I'll need to discuss which payment option works best for you in order to prepare the proper legal documents to your satisfaction.
What if I change my mind after I made a deposit? No worries. I offer a 15 day due diligence period so that you can be sure the property you are wanting to buy works out for you. This means, you'll need to contact the County office to verify all of the information I've provided and to check on any matters of concern to you for wherever the property may be located. Make other calls if necessary to other service providers, etc. It's all part of your due diligence. Fifteen days is enough time to make sure you want to proceed so we both know if we can move forward or if I need to remarket it to someone else. If you're not able to proceed with the purchase, notify me in writing within that 15 day due diligence period so I can refund your full down payment.
Are there any “hidden” fees I am going to be charged after I agree to the purchase? Everything is disclosed on each property listing so you know exactly what you're paying for. Your initial deposit holds the property which begins your due diligence period. Monthly installments will begin one month after your due diligence period ends and is non refundable going forward. Your deposit is fully refundable during your 15 day due diligence period, so if for any reason you find you cannot proceed you will receive a full refund on all paid during that first 15 days. Once the purchase price is paid in full I will then grant the Deed to transfer the property into your name making you the full legal and rightful owner.
Do I need an attorney or real estate agent?
I have done my best to simplify the buying process with straightforward, easy-to-understand agreements. However, I encourage buyers to have a professional review the contract if they feel the need. After all, I do. It helps to have a professional on your side.
Do you work with any Title or Escrow Service Providers?
I work with Title and Escrow service providers on higher priced properties; however, on bargain priced properties less than $10K I prefer to keep the costs down so you won't end up having to pay more. By closing with the County office directly where the property is located you save a lot when you know what you're doing! Once I have the Deed Notarized & Payment in full has been made, the recording process is fairly easy when going direct to the County. If however, you as a buyer, feel more comfortable with paying for the services of a Title/Escrow provider, I have no problem with proceeding with that, as long as you're aware that that cost will be a buyer responsibility. Title/Escrow companies base their fees on a scale, whereby whatever you pay under $10K is the same fee you'll pay as if the property sells at $1K-$50K. This is why it is best that all filing and recording as deemed necessary with the County Recorder/Clerk's office be done directly with the County in order to pass the Deed of Ownership onto the buyer without all of the added fees. But that's up to you. I will be glad to work with you either way.
How can I make arrangements to inspect the property before I buy it?
Please do, or at least have someone in the area report back to you with photos and details too! It's always best to see it in person though. I like to provide as much information as you need to locate and visit the property on your own. The land isn't going anywhere. It will be there when you're ready to see it, with or without me. Many times I am no where near the property, or the timing may be off, but you're free to go at a time that is convenient for you to check out the land and the area on your own. Just be aware that until your initial deposit is received, I will not hold it for you in case someone else pays first. The first person to make a deposit guarantees them the right to decide whether or not they want to proceed during their due diligence period of 15 days without risk of losing anything. I give everyone a 15 day due diligence period as shown in the Agreement that I send following the deposit to hold the property.
Can I use the Land while Under Contract to Purchase?
Please check with me prior to camping out or RVing on any property. Some Counties, and/or Cities/Towns have ordinances against such things, and I wouldn't want to place anyone in any way of harm. Although camping and RVing may be permitted on some properties, it does not mean they all are. There may also be camp fire restrictions in place for the properties where camping or RVing is permitted, so please check with me first before going out so I am aware of your plans and intentions. Until the property is legally yours I request that you do not start to build on the land until that time when it legally becomes yours by means of the Deed being recorded, UNLESS you've received a written agreement from me allowing for any changes on the land.
When do I get the Deed to the property?
Once the property is paid in full I will issue your Deed for you to review first, which I will then have notarized and record it with the local county upon your final payment for any properties under $10K. Otherwise, the Title/Escrow company will handle all matters in recording. I will pay for the cost of recording. You will receive a preliminary copy and receipt of the recording and then once it's recorded the county will mail the Deed to you, which could take anywhere from a few days to receive it or longer depending on the County's workload, but they should record it right away the day they get it. You're always welcomed to call the County Clerk's Office to ask questions where the property is located, for your own peace of mind. Once validated and recorded at the county recorders office, you then own the property. The county will then mail you the original recorded deed for your records.
Do I have to use a Credit Card for the Deposit to Hold the lot?
No, the link to make the deposit to hold is for convenience sake only if you do wish to use a Credit Card. However, PayPal and/or Zelle are also easy ways to make the deposit using my email address TimeToBuyLand@gmail.com. However, please reach out to me so I can remove the deposit button, so no one else can make a deposit. Otherwise I'll need to refund the 2nd depositor right away, but I'd rather work with one person than upset another. You can text, call, or email me through the Contact tab at the top of this website.