5 Environmental Issues That Land Buyers Should Consider

Buying land is one of the best investments you can make. Land is a finite product. There's only so much land available, and with populations booming and cities expanding, securing acreage for the future is a sound investment strategy. Before making a land purchase, you'll want to make sure that there are no environmental issues that can place your investment at risk. Here are five common environmental problems that buyers should consider before making a land purchase.

Environmental Issue No. 1 -- Soil Considerations

Whenever you purchase land, it's essential that the soil of your plot is stable. If you intend to develop the property, you must make sure that there are no landslides, sinkholes or other stability issues present on the plot. Look up the county's soil survey to get a better idea of the quality of dirt found on your prospective plot.

Environmental Issue No. 2 -- Slopes

Land parcels that have steep inclines will be more difficult to develop. If you have plans to build structures on your land in the future, make sure there are no steep slopes present on the parcel.

Environmental Issue No. 3 -- Weather Concerns

Before you follow through on a land purchase, make sure you understand the weather conditions that are prevalent in the area you're considering. Will there be heavy rains in the winter? If so, you'll want to check for landslide and drainage risks. Are hurricanes, tornadoes or droughts an issue in the area? Understanding how weather will affect your land can help you figure out whether you're making a good investment.

Environmental Issue No. 4 -- Check the Water Supply

Having potable water on your plot is a big concern for many land investors. Finding out where your water will come from, if you have rights to specific water sources and what the quality of the water is like are all essential measures to take before you purchase land. If there is a well on the parcel, bring in a professional water testing company to evaluate the quality of your water supply.

Environmental Issue No. 5 -- Hazardous Waste

If there are any contaminants on your land or hazardous waste concerns, you need to discover these issues before you make your purchase. Some land plots may have been exposed to agricultural chemicals. Heaps of mine refuse can contaminate the soil and water supply of your land parcel. Make sure you find out how the land was in the past so that you can investigate all possible waste hazardous.

Whenever you invest in real estate, do your due diligence so that you understand what you're getting into. Don't buy land without investing potential environmental hazards. Examine soil quality, slope issues, weather concerns, water quality and hazardous waste problems.

2 Simple Financial Options for Basic Home Improvement

Initiating a home improvement project is exciting, but before you begin your renovation efforts, it's important for you to plan ahead. Figure out exactly what it is you want to do with your home and form a budget plan. Renovate within your means. If you need to secure additional financing resources to get your home improvements plans completed, here are two simple options for securing funds for your renovation project.

Simple Financial Options for Basic Home Improvement -- Home Equity Loan

If you're a homeowner, you can use your home's equity to secure a low-cost, fixed-rate loan that will help you achieve your home improvement goals. Why wait until you sell your house to reap the benefits of the equity you've accumulated? Put your equity to work for you by securing the funds you need to add value to your home.

Some lenders will even let you borrow an amount based on the increased equity that your home will have after improvements are made. If you plan to do all the work yourself, you will have a more difficult time securing a loan based on future equity. When you enlist the help of a professional contractor, your lender will be more likely to grant you a loan that takes into account the future post-improvement equity of your home.

Simple Financial Options for Basic Home Improvement -- HELOC

If your home improvement project will be an ongoing operation, then you may want to secure a home equity line of credit (HELOC) before you begin your renovation efforts. Ongoing renovation projects can lead to surprise charges. A HELOC gives you the flexibility to hand unforeseen expenses and keep your home improvement project on track.

If you have a laundry list of renovations to make, be prepared for the final costs to soar above your initial estimates. HELOCs are like credit cards secured by your home's equity. With a flexible, borrow-as-you-go finance option, you want have to ask your lender for additional funds if your home loan isn't enough to cover your improvements.

Before you embark on a renovation plan, make sure you've analyzed your options and assessed the costs of your project. Choose a funding plan that makes sense for you. Home equity loans and HELOCs are two simple ways to fund your home improvement projects. If you have a firm, one-time renovation plan, consider a home loan. If your project will be ongoing and difficult to quantify, the flexibility of a HELOC can help you cover all your unforeseen expenses.