The Due Diligence process is critical when purchasing a property, and we've put together a checklist of steps to follow to ensure you're making an informed purchase:

1. Secure the property under Contract. Request a Due Diligence period of at least 30 days. In
Florida, you should use a Vacant Land Contract such as this one: https://indytitleftl.com/wp- content/uploads/sites/312/2020/10/FAR-Vacant-Land-Contract.pdf

2. Obtain specific lot information from the property appraiser's website:
  • Escambia County: https://escpa.org/
  • Santa Rosa County: https://srcpa.gov/Home/

3. Evaluate Sales Price. If you are working with a local real estate agent, they should be able to
produce for you a list of similar, recently sold property. We recommend Christine Landers of
Voyage Real Estate LLC at (850) 291-5789 (stineland@yahoo.com) or free online sources
showing "sold" property values from www.Zillow.com or www.trulia.com

4. Obtain a Boundary Survey from the seller. If they do not have one, it is important to order one
prior to closing to confirm the true boundary of the property and to confirm the Legal
Description is correct. It is also important for you to have a Bench Mark elevation for your
property to determine the actual elevation of the land. This information will be used to
determine whether your future home needs to be elevated and to what extent. Further if you
have wetlands (see below) the surveyor could survey the wetland information while they are on
site. You may be able to negotiate to have the cost of the Boundary Survey paid for by the Seller
at closing. The Bench Mark and Wetland Survey would not be customary services the Seller
would pay for. You can try Lands End Surveying (850) 433-8545 www.landsendsurveying.com

5. Visit the local planning and zoning office to check zoning, building setbacks, overlay districts, and other restrictions. The local planning department is an important resource that provides free
consultation on your property with regards to the Land Development Code and other local
building ordinances.

6. Determine whether wetlands are present on the property, and if so, to what extent. Onsite
wetlands can severely impact the buildable area of your property as you are not allowed to fill
them or alter them in any way. Wetlands are also indicative of poor soils which could affect
foundation costs (see Geotechnical Investigation below). Evaluate the property with a wetland
specialist. You may be able to receive a free consultation over the phone with a wetland
scientist who can review aerial photography and make a determination if wetlands are present
on site. A Wetland Delineation is an onsite service performed by a wetland scientist who will
actually field mark the limits of the wetlands. Once the wetlands are identified it is customary
to have them surveyed by a Professional Land Surveyor. We recommend Wetland Sciences
(850) 453-4700

7. Obtain flood zone information. FEMA has flood maps for the United States available for viewing
at https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home. Pay attention to AE Zones and V Zones as these are the
primary Flood Zones in NW Florida.

8. Determine if the subsurface soils are suitable for building on. This is one of the most expensive
services you will need to pay for. A Geotechnical Engineer will perform a soil boring test,
generally to the depth of 35’ below ground to determine the strength of the underlying soils and
whether they can support a new home.

9. Obtain a copy of the Home Owner's Association (HOA) covenants and restrictions.

10. Determine if public sewer and water are available.

11. Hire a title agent to obtain a clear land title before closing.

12. Meet with the neighbors to learn additional information.

We hope this guide helps you secure the property of your dreams. If you're looking to build your dream home, Urban Infill Corporation is here to help. Our experienced team of builders and designers will guide you through the entire process, from selecting the perfect lot to designing and constructing your ideal home. Contact us at (850) 549-5300 or info@urbaninfillco.com to schedule a consultation and start building the home of your dreams today.