Summary of "How To Spot BAD LAND In 60 Seconds"

How To Spot BAD LAND In 60 Seconds

The video “How To Spot BAD LAND In 60 Seconds” presents a practical six-step system called ASSESS to quickly evaluate whether a piece of vacant land is good or bad for purchase, especially for residential or development purposes. The key lifestyle and buying tips focus on identifying costly hidden issues before closing a deal.

Six-Step ASSESS System to Spot Bad Land

Access
- Check for legal access (right-of-way easements) and physical access (driveway or road frontage).
- Quality and quantity of access matter (e.g., long road frontage can increase value by allowing subdivision).
- Example:
  - Good access: 8.9-acre lot in Eureka, NC with 500+ ft road frontage
  - Bad access: Landlocked 1-acre lot in Moore County, NC with no driveway or legal access
Soil
- Critical for septic system feasibility, especially in rural areas.
- Good soil drains well and supports septic installation; poor soil can drastically reduce land value.
- Soil maps help but must be verified by soil scientists or county health evaluators.
- Example:
  - Good soil: Norfolk lomy sand in Eureka, NC
  - Bad soil: Rains series soil in another NC property, deemed unbuildable after expert evaluation
Slope
- Flat or gently sloping land is preferable and less costly to develop.
- Steep slopes (above 10-15%) increase building difficulty and expense.
- Use contour lines on maps to assess slope severity and compare with nearby home sites.
- Example:
  - Flat 8.9-acre property in Eureka, NC
  - Steep, mountainous 42-acre property in Wils County, NC
Environmental
- Check for wetlands, flood zones, and natural water features that limit buildability.
- Properties heavily covered by wetlands or flood zones often require costly permits or are unbuildable.
- Example:
  - Good: No wetlands or flood zones on Eureka property
  - Bad: 2-acre lot in Hope County, NC fully covered by wetlands and flood zone with poor access
Street View
- Virtually tour the property’s surroundings to assess curb appeal and neighborhood quality.
- Look for undesirable neighbors or nuisances (junk yards, train tracks, cluttered lots) that reduce value or livability.
- Example:
  - Nice wooded area with good curb appeal in NC
  - Junk-filled lot next to train tracks in Georgia
Satellite View
- Zoom out to see broader neighborhood context and nearby land uses.
- Watch for nuisances like hog farms, industrial sites, wind or solar farms, logging, or quarries that can impact quality of life and property value.
- Example:
  - Good: Well-buffered Eureka property near town square
  - Bad: Farmland near a large hog farm in Halifax County, NC with potential odor issues

Additional Tips

Always perform due diligence including site visits, soil tests, and legal research before buying land.
Use tools like Google Maps, Street View, county GIS, or paid services like Land ID for quick remote assessments.
Download a free due diligence checklist (linked in the video description) to guide your evaluation.
Consider subdividing land with good access and soil to increase value.
Be wary of properties that look good superficially but have hidden issues that can cost thousands post-purchase.

Notable Locations and Products Mentioned

Locations:
- Eureka, North Carolina (good example)
- Moore County, NC (bad access)
- Hope County, NC (wetlands/flood zone)
- Halifax County, NC (hog farm neighbor)
- Brownsville, New Jersey (live 60-second analysis)
Tools:
- Google Maps
- Street View
- Land ID (paid)
- County GIS (free alternative)
Soil Types:
- Norfolk lomy sand (good)
- Rains series soil (poor drainage)
Encouragement to download the free due diligence checklist for land buyers.