When searching for the perfect London plot to ignite a project’s potential, you have multiple options at your disposal. Whether you opt for the traditional route of doing it yourself or you outsource the task to the experts, there is a plot out there waiting for you.
Land in London comes in a variety of shades and temperaments, but the versatility factor is a big part of the appeal. Read on below for some advice about how to find the right plot for any project.
Do a Quick Search Online For Preliminary Results
The place to start is with a general overview of the objective. What do you want? To find a plot of land in London that fits in with your project. How do you find it? By starting the search! Open up your computer or laptop and type in whatever search term jumps to mind. Try a few and try to hit the buzzwords for the most effective results, and see what comes up. There is a chance that there will be nothing viable, which just means you will have to get a little more creative and move into some niches instead of generalising. Yet, this first search could have all the answers and represent viable options, so it is always worth doing as a starting point.
Register With the Council
The Land Registry department is the most constructive place to discover plots for sale that might fit in with what you’re hoping to achieve. Whether you are wanting a place to tear down and rebuild from the roots, an empty arena to bring to life, or a dilapidated wasteland that needs returning to former glory, the council will have a list of potential plots that you are allowed to observe. Book an appointment and don’t be afraid to ask them questions. They are trained and have the insider knowledge to help you out in this respect.
Outsource the Task
If these first two routes to acquisition are bearing little fruit, look into how to purchase land from an experienced company. Private land for sale is as common as publicised plots, and people rely on estate agent services or similar to find a buyer. This is a useful avenue to check in with though some professional branches do cost money. The question is whether or not this price is worth it for the output and if the two will offset one another.
Take a Walk Around The Shortlisters
Shortlists are useful tools. Once you have yours, aka a list of plots that are worth your time and energy, go and see them. Walk about the local area, take note of red flags that might hold up planning permission procedures, and get a sense of whether or not you find it viable. Seeing somewhere is one of the most direct methods of reaching a decision on what to offer or whether to pursue it.
Use Legitimate Sites and Avoid Scammers
Just as with any venture, this market is filled with less than reputable people looking to take your money in a swindle. Fraudulent advertising, false promises, and misrepresenting intentions are three key areas where criminals may take advantage of the unsuspecting. If someone is giving you a bad feeling, run with it and trust your instincts. Always check for verification that this is a credible source, and get someone else in on the process to double-check and support where necessary.
Look at Planning History
What you are allowed to do with a plot of land will undoubtedly guide your willingness to invest. Where there is absolute freedom and planning permission seems a breeze, you will have more flexibility to achieve your dream project but some plots do come with restrictions.
Check Out Auctions
Auctions are a good marketplace for land. Though there are often bargains to be found, auctions work on an asset being awarded to the highest bidder, which means you could be outbid and therefore lose out on the plot you wanted. It is also a risk as the decision is not always allowed to be informed, often having to be more spontaneous instead. Most credible auctions have listings to consider and you could plan a pre-emptive visit to a plot before the main day to feel more informed about the purchase. For example, you may be up against commercial developers that understand how much value the land will have in the future and therefore have a significantly higher bid.
Explore Public Land Options
While exploring options at the HM Land Registry department, take five minutes to inquire about public land options around London. These are often intriguing plots that are waiting to be repurposed or lying dormant in need of repair. You could be that person they’ve been looking for. While some land will be restricted in what you can do with it, there should be some options that are more flexible.
Make Sure You Remain Active
Staying active in your search is the only way to find options as they come up on the market. If you let the ball drop for even a day you might end up missing the perfect plot to a higher, faster bidder. This is less than ideal. Realistically, checking options a few times a day will ensure that you don’t get left behind or miss out on your dream land. London moves fast, just like any major city, and so do developers. There is a high frequency of people looking for land to develop and fulfill their projects, so you are one of the crowd in that sense.
Finding land in London is a competitive task but not an impossible one. There are plots around the city whether they are inner or outer that are viable options for a range of purposes. You just have to know where to look, whom to ask for help, and when the optimal time for making a bid might be. Building projects vary in function and ambition from developer to developer, but the need for a plot remains consistent.
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