Buy next door 1/4 acre wooded lot (for sale, how much, new home)

[PortStLucieWater]

Hello all,

Within the last year I purchased a home in PSL. I bought using only half of what the bank was willing to lend to me. I love the new home and the location. Here is one thing I have been thinking about lately:
My home is a corner lot. To the side of it there is a 1/4 acre wooded vacant lot. My property is fenced in by a wooden fence but my bedroom window faces this wooded lot. (Not the best thing to look at sometimes) The property is not listed for sale. I looked the property up online and I found that it was bought in the height of the market 2008 for $25,000 by a gentleman in his late 60's from NY.
I'm really interested in trying to acquire this property to use for future expansion. My goal would be to either get financing (money is cheap right now so that might do) or if necessary I can use cash on it.
Can anybody give tips or advice on how to plan the road map for this adventure? Should I just call the property owner and straight up ask? I think it's best if I don't state upfront that I live next door incase the property owner tries to use that against me in negotiations. But it also might be better to be upfront and clear on my intentions.
I'd love to hear any thoughts/advice or input on this.
Thanks everyone!

[pslhomie]

The lot is worth 8k at the most now. I doubt they will sell but you can send them a letter and ask.

[PortStLucieWater]

Just checked Google streetview and apparently they had a for sale sign in front of the property in April 2011

[wireyourworld]

If you don't ask, the answer is always no.

[SeaLark7]

I agree that it can't hurt to ask. Chances are the owner still wants to get rid of it. Good idea to do research into the cost of vacant lots so you know how much to offer. I wouldn't mention that you live next door until you get a feel for how open the owner is to selling. He may think it is worth more as a building site as opposed to a land expansion - or vice versa ! He should expect to take a loss on it based on current prices. Any way you can find out what it was listed for in 2011 ? Good luck ! Let us know what happens.

[alsidw]

When I inquired about a lot a realtor cautioned me because of the cost of improving a lot can be high especially if it needs to be filled, plus there may be liens against the land.

[FlaLadyB]

Every lot has to be graded and filled. Leins are found out by the title company prior to closing. If there are leins on it you simply state in the contract that they will be paid off by the seller by closing.

I can look and see what, if any, lots have been sold in your area if you want - just message me

[dixxi_moon]

Originally Posted by FlaLadyB

Every lot has to be graded and filled. Leins are found out by the title company prior to closing. If there are leins on it you simply state in the contract that they will be paid off by the seller by closing.

I can look and see what, if any, lots have been sold in your area if you want - just message me

Im just reading through the forum as im noticing alot of things are alot different down there as to here in Clay county. Im hearing about things we have never herd of before & living in the country now vs more city life if we move that way. What do you mean by all lots must be graded and filled?

[FlaLadyB]

if you are going to build a house you have to get a permit, the lot has to be graded and filled to a specific level above the level of the road for drainage. Best bet is to call the county building and zoning dept and ask them specific questions.

[fengxg]

I think the OP mostly want to know how to get the lot from the owner. The answer depends on how much the OP wants the lot. The easiest way is to contact the owner and give a casual offer a little higher than the market worth. It should be a win-win deal.