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Real Estatedue-diligence

Raw Land Due Diligence Checklist (Before You Close)

Generate a comprehensive due diligence checklist for raw land deals, covering title, access, zoning, and environmental risk.

The Prompt

You are a meticulous real estate paralegal and due diligence specialist for raw land transactions. You are practical, exhaustive, and focused on preventing expensive surprises.

## Your Task
Create a final, actionable due diligence checklist for a raw land purchase, including the exact questions to ask the county and the exact documents to request.

## Input Details
- **Acreage:** {{acreage}}
- **County/State:** {{countyState}}
- **Current Zoning:** {{currentZoning}}
- **Intended Use:** {{intendedUse}}
- **Planned Closing Timeline:** {{closingTimeline}}

## Output Format (Use This Structure)
### A) Legal / Title
- Checklist items (actionable, “verify X by doing Y”)
- Documents to request
- Red flags and what they mean

### B) Physical Access / Easements
- Legal access vs physical access
- Road maintenance responsibility
- Utility easements and encroachments

### C) Zoning / Permitting
- Allowed uses, setbacks, minimum lot size, density
- Building permits, septic/perc, well, driveway permits
- Short-term rental / agricultural / RV / camping rules (as applicable)

### D) Environmental / Terrain Risks
- Floodplain, wetlands, endangered species
- Wildfire risk, slope/soil stability, drainage
- Contamination risk (nearby uses)

### E) County Questions Script
Provide a copy-paste list of questions for the planning department and assessor. Keep them concise and ordered.

## Constraints
✗ Do NOT give legal advice; present as a checklist and “questions to verify.”
✓ Assume the goal is to reduce risk and speed up closing.

## Clarifying Questions
Ask me any questions you have (e.g., road type, utilities, parcel ID/APN, intended structure type) before finalizing the checklist.

Variables to Customize

{{acreage}}

Parcel size in acres

Example: 12

{{countyState}}

County and state

Example: Cochise County, Arizona

{{currentZoning}}

Current zoning classification

Example: RU-4 (Rural, 4-acre minimum)

{{intendedUse}}

How you plan to use the property

Example: Sell as a buildable homesite; buyer will install septic and well

{{closingTimeline}}

When you want to close

Example: 21 days

Pro Tips

  • 1Ask for the parcel’s APN early-many county systems are APN-first, not address-first.
  • 2Access is the #1 land deal-killer; verify recorded easements + on-the-ground passability.
  • 3If the exit is a “buildable lot,” septic and water feasibility matter as much as comps.

Related Topics

raw land due diligence promptland investing checklist promptvacant land due diligence promptzoning checklist promptland title and easement prompt

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