What Does the Land Development Process Include?

Land development can be one of the most stressful and rewarding projects that you take on. This process usually includes three stages, pre-development, construction and operation. Each stage will have different tasks and paperwork that you will need before moving on to the next phase. You can find help with each stage of land development in Los Angeles including surveying the property and other pre-development tasks.

Pre-Development

During the pre-development stage, you will need to make sure that you have the rights to the land you want to work on. You will also need to have that land surveyed so that you know where you can build and so that the state and local agencies have all the information before granting you permits. Companies like Chris Nelson can help you with several different types of surveys to help you through this phase.

Construction

Land development in Los Angeles necessitates a certain amount of construction. During this phase you will usually tear down existing structures, build new ones and work with a variety of professionals to turn your idea into reality.

Operation

This is the final stage of developing land and involves working with clients and customers to get the new construction going and keep it going. For instance, if you have built a living/shopping center, then the operation phase will involve getting vendors into shopping spaces and tenants into living ones. It will also involve keeping those spaces full and profitable throughout the lifetime of the build.

Land development in Los Angeles involves three different stages, pre-development, construction and operation. These three phases will each have its own steps and regulations as well as professionals who can help you navigate the process. For instance, during the pre-development stage, you may need to hire a surveyor, like Chris Nelson & Associates,  to give the local agencies an accurate picture of what the land looks like and the impact of your construction.

What to Look for in a Survey Company

Regulations in Southern California can require a professional survey for many different reasons. Events such as selling or buying property or planning some major construction could require the owner to hire a survey company to set the boundaries or perform other related tasks. Land surveyors all usually have their area of the surveying field in which they specialize. Finding the right company to meet your particular needs from among the many Los Angeles land surveyors can seem a little daunting, but by considering a few basic guidelines, it does not have to be a difficult task.

The first factor that may help in the selection process is where the land survey company is based. For a variety of reasons, it is typically a good idea to go with a surveyor from the immediate area. For one thing, local firms will generally be familiar with the area and how accurately the existing records reflect the reality of property boundaries and topography. Understanding the current documentation on file can help the surveyor work more efficiently. Working with local businesses can also have the added benefit of easily accessible testimonials about the quality of the company's work with local property owners. Los Angeles land surveyors, for example, should be able to offer the names of references from all over the Southern California area.

It is also probably a good practice to do some research on modern surveying techniques and make sure that the firm in question uses the latest equipment. Surveying tools and methods have changed significantly in the last few decades, and surveyors should be fully modernized to produce a final report that is as accurate as possible.

Finally, going with a well-established company is generally a safe way to proceed. A company that is substantial and grounded will also usually show a willingness to work with customers on tight timelines. Determining upfront that the candidate has adequate staff to handle the job can help avoid the problem of missed deadlines down the road. Los Angeles land surveyors are some of the best in the business, and finding the right one for your project just takes a little determination.

Safety implications in Land Development

There are a variety of reasons you may want to seek out land development services. But regardless of if you’re looking at the creation of a park, or new housing development, you want to know that the process will be as safe as possible for all involved before, during and after the project. Here are of the things you may want to know about the safety implications in land development.

You may be comforted to know that there are set regulations and industry standards for land development services regardless of a project’s intended end use. Each step of a project should be thoroughly planned out to comply with these standards and keep the process as safe and efficient as possible. Everyone from the designers to those responsible for construction have their own role to play in keeping a project safe, and they know which steps they should take to do so. This helps ensure that all the necessary concerns are considered.

There are many steps in a project where safety needs to be considered. These can vary depending on the project, but may include electric utility management, landscaping, and transportation systems. These types of safety concerns are usually planned for in the creation of the project by experienced land development professionals such as Chris Nelson & Associates. However, there are safety concerns that must be taken into account during the building phases as well. Workers will need clear lines of sight and proper safety equipment for each project step. They will also need adequate lighting to work by, buffer zones for equipment and supplies, and safe walkways. In the event traffic will need to be rerouted, either vehicular or pedestrian, proper precautions will need to be taken there as well.

When considering land development services for your projects, it’s best to go through an experienced team. These professionals can plan the project according to the regulations and standards to keep each phase of construction safe. They may also be able to let you which steps they are taking in each phase of the project.

Real Estate Prospecting Done Right

Prospecting is a vital part of a real estate professional’s job and is even more important for agents that are just starting out. If you want to be successful at real estate prospecting, consider these aspects.

Online Prospecting

Since cold calling doesn’t work as much anymore as it used to, content marketing is becoming more and more important. In order for people to find your website, your content needs to rank higher than that of others. SEO can generate new leads for you every day. Blog posts, social media memes and behind-the-scenes tips are very powerful. By offering people something, they are more likely to reach out to you.

Implement tools into your website that let you to capture people’s information so you can reach out to them. Drip email campaigns ensure that people don’t feel overwhelmed. Offer them a free market analysis or sales guarantee. If people feel as though they are getting something, they are more likely to do business with you.

Offline Prospecting

A highly successful offline real estate prospecting tactic is print marketing done by a company that sends out amazing postcards for you on a regular basis. Single postcards and postcard campaigns have a high success rate because they are more personal than online prospecting. The mailing service and postcards from Sendsations are inexpensive, consistent, flexible and save you time. You can choose from a wide range of themes and cards that fit your needs perfectly.

Postcards allow you to establish a 12-month marketing plan in just a few minutes. After that, everything goes automatically. Many people appreciate aesthetic postcards that offer them something, such as recipes, tips or a beautiful photo. With postcards you give people something they enjoy without seeming to pushy. Instead of going from door to door, why not have someone send out postcards for you so you can focus on your current clients?

While online real estate prospecting is something you might be able to do on your own, sending out amazing postcards is best left to Sendsations. High-quality postcards that feature outstanding content and are tailored to your particular situation enable you to gain more clients.

The Future of Land Surveying

People like Chris Nelson have made a living out of doing a land survey for construction projects. However, as technology and the workforce changes, it may be important to ask what the future holds for this profession.

Types of Surveying

Land surveying occurs for many reasons, but one of the most common ones is to establish the boundaries between properties. Unfortunately, today's surveyors currently don't have as much training or supervision as they should. In many cases, they place the legal description on the ground only to find it no longer fits existing corners. The result is often simply to set new corners. Part of the problem may stem from the fact that surveying property boundaries is a profession that still hasn't fully recovered from the crash in 2007. Many people accept jobs at very low prices just to get work, which will naturally cause them not to put in their best effort.

Another common type of surveying involves surveying related to engineering. Requested by architects, engineers and designers, these surveys are often the backbone of many surveying companies. Because they are often related to the government, work can be steady once you prove yourself. However, some surveys have problems proving themselves. Why? The government just isn't as interested as it should be in making improvements to our current infrastructure. This means there are fewer jobs to go around.

Education Requirements

While it is believed that many surveyors aren't educated enough, it isn't because of a lack of programs. Most states do require a surveyor to have a college degree and take the national test. However, there aren't enough people entering the field to cover all the people who are of retirement age and wish to stop working. It should be noted that the lack of students isn't because of a lack of interest. Students simply can't afford to finish college, or if they can, they opt to go into similar professions that pay more money.

While a land survey is still an important part of the construction process, the job is becoming harder for the human eye to do alone. An increasing number of companies are using software, drones and even mobile mapping services to complete the work. As technology changes, surveyors can expect an increase in technology over the next 25 years. It is up to them how they react to them.

Property Lines and Boundary Facts

Figuring out where your boundary is seems like the kind of thing that should be simple. You know where your property ends and where your neighbor’s begins, so what else is there to know? The truth is it’s actually a complicated process. Often, boundary services require a Professional Land Surveyor. Before they put their signature on the final map, they have to supervise the project and give the map a state-authorized seal. All of this isn’t negotiable; by the way, it’s the law.

Establishing (or re-establishing) property lines is best done quickly and professionally. Groups like Chris Nelson Associates have the experience that can make a complicated, difficult process easy. First, they consult with the client, to figure out exactly what the client wants or needs out of the survey process. Then, the research begins. By researching the title of your property as well as the surrounding properties, boundary services are able to find the original property line. This is especially helpful if it’s been blurred by time, plant growth, buildings, or anything else. A thorough inspection of the field is followed by collecting the evidence and intricate, detailed measurements. Then, they take all the information they’ve found, and compare it to that original title research. From there, they can determine the genuine, official boundary lines. If the property corners are somehow malformed, they can reset them to their proper, correct place. Then, and only then, do they prepare the final Corner Record or Record of Survey.

If you’ve had a property for a long time, at one point or another, you’ve probably thought that the boundary lines used to be different. Often, you’re right about this. Boundary services can help to put the boundaries exactly to where they used to be. Documents like these can come in very hand if you ever suspect that your neighbor has begun using part of your land. When that happens, the fact is that you want to confront them quickly.  

Know Where to Draw the Line

It’s always good to know where the line is drawn. Sometimes, though, it’s unclear, and that’s when it’s a good idea to call a surveyor. A surveyor can help you re-establish boundaries by doing boundary surveys in Thousand Oaks.

A boundary survey shows a property owner where exactly the edges of his property end. A typical survey includes either an updated map of the property or a completely new one that the property owner can keep on hand for future references. It’s a good idea to invest in boundary surveys in Thousand Oaks if you plan on selling your property, particularly if the buyer will be using your land for public infrastructure, or if you are a new homeowner.

It can be beneficial to have a boundary survey for a number of reasons. If you want to put a fence around your property, for example, a survey can show you where your yard ends and your neighbor’s yard begins. This kind of information is helpful so that you put your fence on your property and don’t accidentally include some of your neighbor’s yard. It can also be useful to get a boundary survey before you add on to your house so that you make sure that your new deck won’t encroach on your neighbor’s side yard and will adhere to your home’s zoning regulations.

Additionally, boundary surveys can show you important information about utilities on your property. You may have underground utilities that your local utility company needs to get to, allowing them to legally use that part of your yard. Another important thing you can learn from a boundary survey is whether your property has any overlaps or gaps in it. This is a good thing to know if your home borders an alley, as your property line isn’t necessarily restricted to your side of the alley.  

For a clear idea of where your property ends, consider hiring a experienced provider who performs boundary surveys in Thousand Oaks such as Chris Nelson & Associates. Sometimes knowing where the line is drawn helps everyone to get along just a bit better.