Kai Terra Land
Welcome to Kai Terra Land, your destination for buying or selling vacant residential and commercial land in San Diego and Sonoma Counties. We specialize in land with a wide ranging expertise with land sales, use and development . Please reach out to learn how we can help you.
858-776-8142
Kai Terra Land
Kka
Kai is Hawaiian for sea; Terra is Latin for Land.
Kai Terra Land is focused solely on the acquisition and disposition of residential building lots, vacant land parcels and infill commercial properties in San Diego and Sonoma Counties. Principal and Broker Matt Deal has over 40 years' experience with land use, development and residential building.
Land transactions have levels of complication which are different from residential or commercial transactions .
Our experience can be the difference that yields a smooth and successful transaction.
The Value, Use and Development of Land
Vacant land is either improved or unimproved. Examples of unimproved land might be forest or open space. Improved land could be a graded houselot serviced by a road and utilities. Vacant land is also subject to use restrictions - zoning, land use districts, restrictive covenants. Finally there are the physical characteristics of the land - such as slope, view, soils. All of these conditions affect the use to which a parcel may be put and its value on the open market.
We specialize in land sales and purchases. It is our business to understand all the factors that affect the use and value of vacant land - can you build, what must you do to get to a building permit, what is the value if you were to sell. We have the experience and knowledge to arrive at these answers and to provide a well-informed analysis of any vacant property.
Environmental Issues
Enviromental issues may not be the first thought a buyer or seller of land considers, but they can be fundamental and problematic. In California many buyers and sellers are at least aware of the Coastal Commission. The Coastal Commission has the authority to review and approve any land use on or near the Pacific Ocean. But they are just the most notorious of the environmental hurdles. There are numerous surveys of nearly all land in California, including plants, animals, watersheds, fire hazards, earthquake zones, toxic waste sites, airports and more. Any one of these can throw a monkey wrench into your use and development plans. It is essential that - prior to purchase - you investigate thoroughly. If you are a seller, you need a realistic understanding in order to set an appropriate value that will have traction in the marketplace.
Zoning and Land Use
Environmental issues are essentially the condition of the land as nature made it. Zoning and Land Use are the rules governing use imposed by government. The nation's first zoning ordinances were enacted in Los Angeles as early as 1904; while the first comprehensive zoning code was enacted by New York City in 1916. Within ten years 68 more cities had enacted zoning codes and by the end of the decade 60% of urban America was subject to zoning.
Today we find layers of regulation affecting most properties. At the base is the master land use plan, then the zoning ordinance, then special districts (view, hillside, historic). One would expect all of these to be in alignment, but that is not necessarily so. Then there are service districts, such as fire, public transportation, school and others.
Don't expect to walk into the building or planning department and get a full list. Many of these need to be ferreted out.
Development and Improvements
It is often not a simple thing to determine how a property can be developed and what may be needed to get there. Will an environmental investigation be needed? Are utilities available? What building restrictions apply? These and myriad other questions need to be answered. Whether determining if a single lot is buildable or analyzing the development potential for large parcels, we have the expertise to help.
Planning, Permits and Fees
The costs of planning, permits and fees should be determined sooner rather than later. These include surveys, land planning, grading and plan review fees, permit fees, school and special district fees. Generally when we list a property we try to include this information, as well as answers and guidance for the other categories above. This makes for a more efficient transaction and one more likely to close.
SB9 Lot Splits
Do you have hidden value in your land? Maybe.
Senate Bill 9, enacted in 2021, allows certain residential properties to be split into two lots. Doing so can unlock potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in real cash. We can help determine if your lot may be eligible. And we can help you through the process.
How We Work
Search
We are members of both the North County Association of Realtors in San Diego County and the Bay Area Real Estate Information Service (BAREIS) in Sonoma County. We have full access to the MLS (multiple listing service) for both areas. We also are able to reach out through all residential and commercial online services.
Offers and Contracts
We use the California Association of Realtors VLPA (Vacant Land Purchase Agreement) contract package, but we are also alert to special conditions that may need to be addressed. We will help draft appropriate addenda as needed. You should always have your attorney review any contract before you sign.
Diligence
No property should be purchased absent a thorough investigation of all aspects which may affect the buyer's use. A seller is obligated to fully disclose all adverse conditions of which he/she is aware. We can help sellers provide thorough disclosures and buyers perform thorough diligence.
Close
Our transparent approach to land ownership ensures you have a clear understanding of the entire process, making your land acquisition or disposition simple and stress-free.