New construction, despite all of the red tape, remains a popular alternative to buying older real estate in Los Angeles. But those set on new construction need to make a crucial decision right out of the gate: whether to purchase vacant land for sale or invest in a teardown – an older property marked for demolition. Both roads ultimately lead to the same place. But each offers potentially drastic differences when it comes to risks, costs, and timelines. So, which is the right choice for your real estate goal?
The Pros and Cons of Vacant Land for Sale
Looking for a blank slate to bring your real estate dream to reality? Vacant land for sale is likely your best bet. No need to worry about legacy building statuses or work around tired floor plans. And you completely bypass the potential headache of demolition logistics. But vacant land for sale works best for buyers with a plan. By avoiding unknown structural hurdles, early planning tends to go more smoothly.
That’s not to say that vacant land offers a plug-and-play development experience. For example, many vacant parcels lack even the most rudimentary utility connections. Likewise, hillside, coastal, or infill sites (of which Los Angeles has many) will likely require geotechnical studies, grading plans, and/or environmental reviews before construction can commence. And that’s not even getting into potential limiting factors such as zoning, height restrictions, and setback guidelines.
The Ups and Downs of Teardown Properties
These headaches aren’t nearly as common in teardown structures. Properties marked for demolition will already have infrastructure largely in place, including utility hookups, street access, and pre-existing permits that can fast-track construction timelines. Some neighborhoods even offer the benefits of zoning for teardowns that can, in certain circumstances, allow buyers to bypass the standard discretionary reviews.
But teardowns also bring with them demolition costs that buyers of vacant land for sale don’t need to think about. These costs can add up quickly, especially in older buildings that demand specialized removal of hazardous materials like asbestos. And if the teardown is a property of historic value, there’s an entirely new level of considerations and restrictions to tiptoe through.
The Costly Option
You’ll need to consider the pricetag on these options as well. Vacant land for sale in a fully developed city like Los Angeles can obviously come at a premium. That scarcity is manifold in coveted neighborhoods where vacant land can easily command staggering prices.
Teardowns may not seem to offer relief from this expense at face value. But when you begin to account for utility hookups, existing entitlements, and other locations, a teardown could easily work out to be the least costly option – at least upfront. In a competitive market like LA, buyers recognize this benefit and can all but bid it away if they want the teardown badly enough.
The Speed of Development
It’s also important to note that vacant land for sale isn’t the best option for anyone on a tight deadline. That’s because vacant parcels often demand a longer entitlement and permitting period, especially in situations where zoning needs to change. Often, teardown projects tend to move along more quickly once the buyer surmounts the demolition phase. However, unexpected issues can arise. For example, unrecorded easements or nonconforming structures. And these surprises frequently lead to delays.
Which is Right For You?
The buyer’s goal completely dictates whether buying vacant land for sale or a teardown property is the right move. But this also means factoring in budget and risk aversion. If a tight deadline is in the mix, then a teardown property is frequently the preference. However, if flexibility is integral to the vision, then vacant land for sale provides the necessary blank slate – along with the extensive groundwork.
With a brand that says as much as JohnHart’s, Senior Copywriter Seth Styles never finds himself at a loss for words. Responsible for maintaining the voice of the company, he spends each day drafting marketing materials, blogs, bios, and agent resources that speak from the company’s collective mind and Hart… errr, heart.
Having spent over a decade in creative roles across a variety of industries, Seth brings with him vast experience in SEO practices, digital marketing, and all manner of professional writing with particular strength in blogging, content creation, and brand building. Gratitude, passion, and sincerity remain core tenets of his unwavering work ethic. The landscape of the industry changes daily, paralleling JohnHart’s efforts to {re}define real estate, but Seth works to maintain the company’s consistent message while offering both agents and clients a new echelon of service.
When not preserving the JohnHart essence in stirring copy, Seth puts his efforts into writing and illustrating an ongoing series entitled The Death of Romance. In addition, he adores spending quality time with his girlfriend and Romeo (his long-haired chihuahua mix), watching ‘70s and ‘80s horror movies, and reading (with a particular penchant for Victorian horror novels and authors Yukio Mishima and Bret Easton Ellis). He also occasionally records music as the vocalist and songwriter for his glam rock band, Peppermint Pumpkin.
