Owning Your New Land

Keep Up With Property Taxes

Make sure the county has your correct mailing address and keep an eye out for your first property tax bill. Depending on when you close, it could still be mailed to the previous owner.

Vacant land generally won't qualify for the same exemptions as a primary residence, but larger acreage may qualify for certain conservation programs. Check with the county tax office about anything that may apply to your property.

Get Connected With Your Community

If your land is in an HOA or gated community, make sure they have your current contact information. Find out how dues and notices are handled, how gate access works, and where to find current covenants, architectural guidelines, building requirements, and ACC information.

Keep Your Property Records Together

Keep the information you collected during your purchase in one place, including closing and title documents, your deed, survey or plat, soil or well information, restrictions, HOA documents, utility information, maps, permits, and other reports.

You'll be glad you have it when you eventually talk with a builder or contractor — or if you decide to sell the land later.

Know & Check Your Property

Vacant land has a funny way of becoming harder to identify once ribbons, stakes, signs, and other temporary markers disappear. If you had a survey completed, keep it and familiarize yourself with the property while everything is still fresh in your mind.

If you don't live nearby, check on the land occasionally or have someone you trust take a look. Storms, fallen trees, road damage, dumping, or unauthorized activity are easier to deal with when they haven't been sitting there for months.

If You're Planning to Build

You may be able to own the land for years before building, depending on the property's restrictions. When you're ready, check community, ACC, and county requirements before clearing trees, grading, or cutting in a driveway.

My Builder Resources can also help you start thinking about the next phase.

Enjoy Your Land

You may have bought it to build next year, ten years from now, or simply because you found a piece of North Georgia you wanted to call your own.

Walk it when the seasons change. Learn the property. Sit there for a while. You don't have to start moving dirt the minute the deed is recorded.

Stay in Touch

If a question comes up about your property, you need a local resource, or you simply aren't sure who to call, don't hesitate to reach out.

And if you decide it's time to build, buy another property, or sell this one, you know where to find me.