Advice on buying land from a friend (comparable sales, sales)

[VelouriaVelveteen]

I’m thinking of buying a plot in upstate NY hamlet from a friend. It used to have a house on it, but that was demolished and is currently an empty lot. I want to make a cash offer and maybe avoid having to use a RE agent, if possible. I wonder if someone can share some tips:

- I’ve been searching for comparable sales online but having trouble finding apples-to-apples comps to determine a fair price. Would an appraiser be able to determine a market value—if so, generally how much do they charge?
- I’ll be using a lawyer to do the closing paperwork; will they be the one to find issues like liens, unpaid taxes, etc. on the property? I’m assuming a lawyer’s fee would generally be in the $1K range?
- If there’s anything else I should know, any tips are much appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[exphysics teacher]

perk test and water source for starters

[hotkarl]

Contact local gov for zoning regulations and such.
Make sure you can build what you want on your property and the costs and nonsense involved.
It’s easily tens of thousands of dollars to install septic, water and bring in electric if those things are not already present and in proper working order.

But yeah, once you figure out and agree on a price, your lawyer will handle the rest.
Contracts, title and deed search etc, all the legal mumbo jumbo.

[VelouriaVelveteen]

Thank you for taking the time to respond!

Since the plot used to have a house until about 10 years ago (it burned down by accident), can I assume it's still zoned to rebuild a home there? And what would be the best way to find out if the septic, water and power connections are still usable--the town code officer?


Also, is there a way to officially get a fair market price without hiring a RE agent...like hiring an appraiser?


Thanks again all.