Three checks before you buy a lot, flood, access and title, can save you from problems that no design can fully fix afterwards.
We are architects, not surveyors or lawyers. For title and legal checks, ask a lawyer or the proper office.
1. Flood
Ask neighbours and the barangay about past floods. Check official hazard maps, and visit the lot after heavy rain if you can.
Ask a professional how the design might respond, for example by raising the floor level.
2. Access
Check the road, who owns it, whether it is passable all year and how materials will reach the lot. A lot with no legal right of way can be a serious problem.
Ask whether utilities such as water and power can reach the lot.
3. Title and boundaries
Ask for a certified copy of the title and check that the seller’s name matches. Confirm the tax payments are up to date and the boundaries match the survey.
Speak to a lawyer about the sale before you pay.
4. Zoning and rules
Ask the local office what the zoning allows on the lot and what setbacks apply. A lot may look perfect and still not allow what you plan.
Do this before you pay a reservation fee.
**Before you pay**: Check first. A reservation fee is easier to lose than to recover.
5. Walk the neighbourhood
Spend an hour walking the area. Talk to people who live nearby, look at how the roads, drains and houses cope after rain, and note what you see.
What neighbours tell you is often more useful than what a brochure says.
Make a short list of what you found and bring it to your architect before you decide. A second opinion from a professional can give you confidence or save you from a costly mistake.
Bring photos and notes to your architect, and ask what each finding means for the design and the budget.
