Land purchase: What urgently needs to be considered? Tips?

Good evening everyone, we hope for strong support.

Background: My partner and I don’t feel any pressure to build a house or buy a plot of land. We wanted to take advantage of this "no pressure" and always look at plots calmly and strike when we both have the WOW effect.

On 01.05.19 we inquired about a plot of land where we already saw in the pictures oh... this could fit in terms of location and the plot itself. We politely submitted the inquiry and unfortunately received no response.
This morning we spontaneously thought, let’s call the realtor once and ask. She apologized and also told us exactly where the plot is located. She already mentioned that she was on the plot last week with another interested party.

We jumped in the car and drove to the plot... It happened as it had to... the WOW effect was there.

We called the realtor and told her that our feeling is good. She was happy but mentioned a call from the other interested party who also expressed interest on the phone today.

We’re meeting with her alone tomorrow afternoon at the plot to talk in person.

On the way back, we spoke with the bank. Financially, this is not a problem.

There is still a house on the plot that would need to be torn down.

The listing says the following:

The plot of land with the garden house still standing on it is very quiet, romantic, and located at the end of a small access road. Nevertheless, you can reach all daily necessities in a few minutes, and the highway entrance is only a few kilometers away.
The garden house is in need of renovation or demolition. Should you plan a new house, nothing stands in the way.

The garden house looks bigger than a garden house. It seems to be an old dilapidated residential house.

Whether the plot is developed is not apparent from the listing, but a telephone connection seems to be present. Telekom was already able to tell us what kind of internet we can get there.

Are there any open points that we urgently should clarify / inquire about tomorrow + do you have ideas on how we can secure the plot?

Thank you very much

Ina & Philipp

Is there a development plan? If yes, does it allow what you want to build? What is the building area? The infrastructure is not the problem, that can all be arranged. The only issue would be if you can't build what you have in mind. What about contaminated sites? How was the property used before? Could the soil be contaminated? You won't be able to get a soil report in such a short time. Ask the neighbors if there were any problems with the soil during construction.

Is there a development plan? If yes, does it allow what you want to build? What is the building envelope? The infrastructure is not the problem, that can all be made. The only problem would be if you cannot build what you imagine. What about contaminated sites? How was the property used before? Could the soil be contaminated? You won’t be able to get a soil report in such a short time. Ask the neighbors if there were problems building with the soil.

Thank you very much. In another listing for the same property it says:

The garden house is in need of renovation or demolition. If you plan a new house, nothing stands in the way.

Thanks a lot. In another listing for the same property it says:

The garden house is in need of renovation or demolition. If you plan to build a new house, nothing stands in the way.

That doesn't mean much, unfortunately. You would have to find out whether there is a development plan for that area or not. It regulates many things. If there isn’t one, a new building must blend in with the neighboring structures. If the real estate agent knows her job, she has this information for you, including any possible building envelope. Without knowing what is allowed and what isn’t, I would never buy a property.

That doesn't mean all that much yet, unfortunately. You would have to find out whether there is a development plan for the area or not. That regulates a lot. If not, a new building must fit into the neighboring buildings. If the realtor knows her job, she has this information for you, including about a possible building envelope. Without knowing what you are allowed to do and what not, I would never buy a plot.

Thanks a lot for the tips, we will take these with us tomorrow:

Is there a development plan?
If yes, does it allow what we want to build?
What is the building envelope?
What about contaminated sites?
How was the plot used before?
Could the soil be contaminated?
What do the neighbors say about the soil?

Any further tips?

located at the end of a small access road

Even the term "outskirts" could be applicable here. Good, if there is a development plan, then that’s settled.

The garden house looks bigger than a garden house. It seems to be an old dilapidated residential house.

That sets off alarm bells for me. Why is it called a garden house? Is something being concealed here?

If you plan a new house, nothing stands in your way.

A new garden house?

Whether the property is developed is not clear from the listing.

But it already borders a public street with manhole covers and valve caps and there are other houses on the right and left?

Telekom was already able to say what kind of internet we can get there.

Did you speak to someone or check the availability online?