A piece of Arizona land can look just right from the road. Before deciding whether it fits your plans, look beyond the view. Access, water, wastewater, zoning and power all deserve a place on the checklist. The goal is not to make buying complicated. It is to understand what you are buying and what comes next.
Start with access
Ask how you can legally reach the parcel, then look at how you would actually get there. Have the title company explain recorded access documents and any exceptions. Walk or drive the route with permission. Ask who maintains the road and whether the route works for the vehicles you expect to use, including deliveries and construction equipment. A visible track is not a substitute for reviewing access rights.
Make a water plan
Do not assume a nearby water line serves the parcel or that a neighboring well tells you what your own well would produce. Ask the water provider about service to the specific property. If you are considering hauled water, investigate the source, storage, delivery access and ongoing routine.
For a new well, Arizona requires a Notice of Intent to Drill filed with the Arizona Department of Water Resources, and a licensed well-drilling contractor must perform the work. Discuss the site and likely expenses with a qualified driller before building a budget around a well.
Understand septic before choosing a homesite
People often ask whether land will “perc.” In Mohave County, the broader question is what the site investigation shows and what wastewater system the property can support. County guidance calls for an approved third-party evaluator to perform the required soil evaluation and/or percolation testing. The completed report is part of the septic application process. Ask about the system location before settling on the house, driveway and water-storage layout.
Match the zoning to your plans
Tell Planning and Zoning exactly what you want to do: a house, manufactured home, animals, an RV or something else. Confirm the parcel’s zoning, applicable requirements and any private restrictions. Do not assume that a rural address means every use is allowed.
Price the missing pieces
Ask the utility provider for parcel-specific information rather than estimating from the nearest pole. If solar is your plan, get a system designed around your actual loads. Put written estimates and unanswered questions in one folder before making your decision.
Dirt Road Real Estate helps buyers work through rural-property questions around Kingman and surrounding communities. Contact Elise Harron at (928) 897-1364 or dirtroadelise@gmail.com. Visit dirtroadrealestate.com.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!