When seeking your slice of heaven here in the Blue Ridge Mountains, there are many things that you might want to keep in mind and with out an experienced real estate agent, who knows the ins and outs of purchasing raw land, you might find the search frustrating and possibly very costly down the road.

First and most importantly, you must decide what it is you intend on using the land for, because it will determine so many of the criteria that one will use when seeking land.  For example, a client of mine approached me one day and said he was looking for a piece of land that would provide a good home site for a solar home.  My answer to him was a gorgeous little knoll that had a southern exposure with plenty of open pasture land, which would ensure plenty of direct sunlight, especially during winter months.  Once you've determined your needs let your agent loose and see what he/she turns up.

Once they return with a list of possibilities, its time to go looking.  During this process there are many things you need to be aware of and look for:

• What are the property boundaries?  Your REALTOR should be able to help you determine what the property boundaries are
• Is there adequate access for your intended use?
• What about utilities?
• What soil conditions exist?

These are just a few of the many things your agent must be able to help determine for you.  Another added benefit your agent should posses, is the accurate use of a GPS unit for mapping and orientation.  Once again this is a very short list of some of the challenges that might face you when seeking the right piece of land.

Now that you've found your slice of heaven, your agent must make sure that the deal closes and that all your contingencies are taken care of during your inspection period.  There is a lot more to buying land now days and unless you are a savvy land buyer, it is highly recommended that you hire a professional to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for.