The right piece of land can offer endless possibilities, making it a great purchase for both investors and developers. Teletare has years of experience selling commercial land and can help you find the perfect lot for your next project.
We regularly have dozens of listings for land for sale in King County on our website. By using our sophisticated search tool you’ll be able to quickly locate a number of properties that meet your needs and specifications.
Types of Land Zoning
Zoning is an important consideration for anyone looking at land for sale in Washington State. How a lot is zoned will determine what you can use it for (residential housing or commercial businesses), so it’s important that you’re 100% clear on this before you purchase a property.
Here are the types of land zoning in King County:
- Commercial: This can include retail stores, restaurants, shopping centers, hotels/motels, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, and warehouses. There are many different types of commercial zoning, so make sure your property is zoned for the type of commercial space you plan to develop.
- Industrial: Industrial spaces can be used for light and heavy manufacturing, transportation and utility services, entertainment, and salvage and recycling. There are many types of industrial zoning, and while they are all similar there are slight differences between each classification.
- Lowrise Multifamily: This type of land can be used for cottage housing, rowhouses, townhouses, and apartment buildings.
- Single-Family Residential: These lots can be used for single-family residential homes.
Some other things you need to consider in regards to zoning are:
- Permitted Uses: If you want to be sure what type of business you can develop on the land, reach out to the city or municipality it resides in. Every property has its own set of permitted uses and local officials will be able to tell you exactly what it can and can’t be used for.
- Floor Area Ratio: Floor area ratio refers to a building’s total floor area in relation to the plot of land it sits on. Every property will have a FAR that it must adhere to.
- Building Height Restrictions: There will also be restrictions stating how tall any building developed on the land can be.
Make sure you’re aware of both the FAR and any building height restrictions for the property, as this will let you know how you can maximize your footprint.
How to Evaluate Land Property
For those looking for cheap land for sale in Washington State, there is a lot to consider. Even if the land is bare without any structures, buyers need to do their research to ensure they don’t encounter any issues after they purchase a property.
Here are some tips to help you evaluate land:
- Know the Size of the Land: When it comes to vacant lots, size is going to be one of the biggest determining factors in determining how much it’s worth. The bigger the plot the more options you’ll have for development.
- Study the Topography: Does the land need to be flattened and leveled? Has it been cleared or are there trees and bush that need to be removed? Make sure to factor in the topography, as it will impact how much work will need to be done before you can begin development.
- Find Out if There’s Access to Water and Utilities: No matter what you plan to do with your land, you’re going to need access to water, sewer systems, electricity, and other utilities. Lots that already have access to these items will require a lot less work upfront.
- Review the Title to the Property: Reviewing the property title will allow you to determine whether the chain of ownership is correct and that it doesn’t have any liens or lawsuits pending against it.
- Perform an Environmental Inspection: Ensure an environmental inspection is performed to determine if there is any soil or groundwater contamination on the property.
- Hire an Architect: Many people wait to hire an architect until after they purchase a plot of land, but hiring one during the buying process can be greatly beneficial. An architect can help you evaluate the land and let you know if it will work for the types of developments you’re planning.
- Hire a Commercial Real Estate Broker: In addition to an architect, it’s also a good idea to use an experienced commercial real estate broker. These professionals can help you place a market value on the land, perform environmental inspections, and negotiate a fair price for the property.
Choosing the Right Location
Anyone who knows anything about commercial real estate knows it’s all about location. If you’re looking at land for sale in King County, WA you’ll want to choose a location that’s going to work for your project.
Your location needs will mostly depend on how you plan on developing the land.
- Commercial: If you’re planning on using the lot for commercial use, you’ll want to consider traffic and accessibility. A high amount of foot traffic and a location that’s easily accessible for customers will produce the best results for future businesses.
- Industrial: When it comes to industrial projects it’s all about zoning. Only certain areas are zoned for this type of work, so make sure you’re well aware of the zoning before following through with the purchase.
- Residential: Any sort of housing project will benefit from easy access to transportation, shopping centers, and recreation areas. Find a location that’s near as many of these as possible.
Find the Right Land for Sale in King County
Are you ready to start looking for land for your next project? Our team can help you find a lot that meets all of your needs.
