Whether you want to build your dream home in the wooded Sierra retreats, farm the rolling Central Valley hills, or purchase the majestic Big Sur coastal land, there are plenty of discounts to be found on raw land. The key to securing these discounted bargains is cash. Buying with cash allows you to avoid the lengthy mortgage approvals and paperwork associated with working with traditional lenders and can close more quickly. But the process can be complicated and there are certain steps that must be taken to protect yourself as the buyer.

First, Defining Your Goals

It’s important to define your goals for the land before making an offer. Having a clear plan can help you negotiate with sellers as they’ll know you’re serious about the sale. Also, it will help you determine if there is room for negotiation in your price offer. For instance, if you’re planning to build a house on the property, consider building costs and permits to make sure they align with California’s strict regulations on residential development.

California Cash Land Purchase: Finding your perfect plot of land can involve a lot of searching. This could include browsing classified ads and other online listings, networking with local real estate agents who can provide off-market insights on distressed properties or auctions and researching public records to find parcels that are headed for tax foreclosure.

Once you’ve located your perfect piece of land, reach out to the seller with a request for an initial offer. Many cash buyers will have user-friendly websites that allow you to submit basic details of the property like location and acreage. Typically, you’ll also need to provide proof of funds, which can be as simple as an official letter from your financial institution that includes the date, name on the account and amount of funds available.