Purchasing a piece of land can seem like a dream come true, but then you get to know that there isn’t a road to get there. Owning inaccessible land is a situation that many new investors and landowners find surprising. This type of property is referred to as landlocked property, presenting difficulties and unexpected possibilities for the next buyer. We’ll explain what landlocked property is, why it matters, and how you can still develop and make money from it with the right approach.
What Does Landlocked Mean?
Landlocked properties are real estate options that have no direct access to public roads. Maybe access is only through the land owned by someone else. However, the major drawback is that they are cut off from obvious routes of development.
It might seem ridiculous when we hear it for the first time. However, we may find many small and huge landlocked properties in our surroundings. We only need to learn how to deal with this drawback. The following sections are about addressing these not-very-common properties.
Why are Landlocked Properties Problematic?
Because there’s no direct entry, landlocked properties often raise concerns like:
- Difficulty getting building permits.
- Issues bringing in construction materials or utilities.
- Lower resale value due to buyer hesitation.
These properties can also be risky to finance, since lenders may worry about access problems. Yet for the right buyer, this lower cost can make them a smart investment, especially if you know how to secure legal access.
Can You Build on Landlocked Property?
Yes, you can build on landlocked property, but only after you establish legal access. Without access, building permits are usually denied, and bringing in materials or services becomes complicated.
Obtaining Driveway Access to Landlocked Property
To build on landlocked property, you need to establish legal access to a public road. This normally requires getting an easement, which is a legal right to use a part of the neighbor’s land for access.
Pros and Cons of Owning Landlocked Property
Potential Benefits:
- Lower purchase price.
- Extra privacy and seclusion.
- Increased value after securing access.
Potential Challenges:
- Complicated access negotiations.
- Legal expenses.
- Delays in development or resale.
Because of these obstacles, involving a real estate attorney early can save time and prevent costly mistakes.
Types of Easements
There are different types of easements for landlocked property:
Easement by Necessity: When there isn’t another method to get to the property, this is given.
Easement by Prescription: If you used a path to access your land for a certain time, then you can qualify for this easement.
Easement by Agreement: This includes negotiating with the neighboring property owner to grant access.
How to Secure an Easement on Landlocked Property
To obtain an easement, one must follow a series of steps:
- Title Search: Start by doing a title search to understand the current ownership of surrounding parcels. This would help to identify possible neighboring landowners who can grant an easement.
- Negotiate with Neighbors: Reach out to the owners of adjacent land. Discuss your need for access and negotiation terms that should favor parties.
- Legal Assistance: Hiring a real estate attorney can be used in navigating real estate’s legal complexities, so the easement is put correctly.
- Court Order: If negotiations have proven impossible, a court order would be necessary in an easement by necessity case.
What Does It Mean to be Landlocked (Legally & Practically)
Asking “what does it mean to be landlocked” isn’t just about location, it’s also about legal restrictions.
- Building permits may be denied without legal access.
- Utility companies might refuse to service the property.
- Lenders and insurers often won’t approve financing without road access.
These issues are part of landlocked property law, which governs how isolated parcels can legally be used.
Crafting a Development Plan
Now, you have learned how to get an easement on landlocked property. So, you can easily start crafting a development plan. However, you cannot ignore this phase because this plan will determine your property value. So, go through these processes efficiently.
Site Analysis and Topographical Surveys
You must know the lay of the land. Additionally, you must conduct a professional topographical survey to give you the required information to make decisions accordingly. You can optimize natural features after this survey and determine the best places for amenities, structures, and access points.
Innovative Design and Professional Construction
Out-of-the-box thinking matters the most when building a landlocked property. We recommend that you involve the best architectural firms in designing the place and the most organized construction firms for non-traditional site development. This way, you will achieve your target to make the venture valuable for you and buyers if you are interested in selling your landlocked property.
Can You Deny Access to Landlocked Property?
If you own the surrounding land, you might wonder: Can you deny access to landlocked property?
Generally, yes. You can refuse access unless there’s already a legal easement. However, if the landlocked owner proves necessity, courts can require you to grant access (with fair compensation).
This is why it’s crucial to understand your rights and responsibilities under landlocked property law.
Final Words
A landlocked property can be intimidating at first glance, but with the right approach, it can become a strategic investment. By securing an easement for landlocked property, understanding what landlocked means, and following the proper legal steps, you can transform a landlocked parcel into a valuable, fully usable piece of real estate.
Whether your goal is to build your dream home or invest for profit, understanding and planning are the keys to unlocking its potential.
FAQs
What does landlocked mean in real estate?
Landlocked property refers to a piece of land that has no direct legal access to a public road and is completely surrounded by other private properties.
Can I build on landlocked property?
Yes, but first you need to get legal access through an easement.
How do I obtain driveway access to landlocked property?
Driveway access can be secured by negotiating an easement with neighboring landowners.
How can I buy a landlocked property?
Before buying a landlocked property, first conduct a title search, second negotiate easement rights, and at the end consult with a real estate agent to make sure that you can now access the land legally.
Can a court order grant access to landlocked property?
Yes, you can seek a court order to secure an easement for access
