Land For Sale in San Diego County

How to Buy Lots and Land for Sale in California

Browse lots for sale in San Diego, Riverside and rural California. When planning to build on a vacant lot for sale, there are a few essential things to look out for no matter what size lot or how you plan to use it. Buy land in San Diego with the help of an experienced backcountry real estate brokerage.

  • From the beginning of your search, the most important thing to remember when buying a vacant lot is location. Location impacts the desirability and usability of the land so make sure you’ve settled on a place to build first
  • Make sure the lot for sale includes water and sewage connections. If not, take this in to consideration and think about adding self-sufficient utilities like solar, septic system and a well.
  • Understand your water rights – this can make or break your ability to build a well
  • Make sure electricity and phone/cable service is available if this is a priority
  • Confirm that there is a deeded right-of-way in place for land not accessible by a public road. The deed should give you and future owners the legal right to access the land, known as an easement
  • Check for any property deed restrictions or open space easements that may prevent you from building your desired home or infrastructure, such as an equestrian property with all necessary facilities or a home-based agricultural property.
  • If the lot is in a development, ask for the restrictive covenants, if any. This will tell you the restrictions for house size and other limitations
  • Check with the local city or county municipality for any zoning changes in the area
  • Make sure there are not environmental hazards on the land for sale
  • Confirm the area boundary with the agent and submit for a new boundary survey if desired
  • If you plan to build a home or an agricultural property, talk to lenders about construction loans and agricultural loans.

What Determines a Legal Lot For Sale?

In the County of San Diego, a parcel must be a legal lot to render it buildable. Having an APN (Assessor’s Parcel Number) does not necessarily mean it is a legal parcel (lot). For instance, some lots that are offered for sale are discovered not to be a legal parcel during the due diligence phase. In this case, the owner must to go through the process with the County of San Diego to create a legal lot which may include: obtaining a Certificate of Compliance, or locating a Grant Deed or other document of conveyance recorded prior to February 1, 1972 that describes the perimeter of the parcel without describing any other adjacent parcel.

To learn more on this subject, here is a helpful resource to open to provide you with additional information on the Planning and Development Services Policy for determining a legal parcel prior to issuing a building permit. Remember when investigating the possibly of building on a vacant land parcel, the first step is verifying the status of the land for sale in San Diego County, then moving on to investigating items such as slope, vegetation, access, and other pertinent development issues.

5 Tips for Buying Vacant Land

Looking for help with your search for vacant property? Watch Donn Bree give 5 tips for buying land in California:

Buying Land For Sale in San Diego or Riverside County? We Can Help!

Some real estate agents may not possess any knowledge about buying lots and land for sale in California. There is a significant different between agents who know residential homes for sale, and those who know land and vacant lots for sale. Specialty clauses, negotiations, construction planning require specialized experience from a brokerage specializing in large lots of land for sale. Red Hawk Realty is the preeminent land specialist when it comes to the California backcountry.

Our Lots and Land for Sale in California

  • Active Listing For Sale
    Spectacular Recreational Haven

    Borrego Springs, CA 92004

    $649,000

    Discover the ultimate desert playground on this expansive 637+/- acre property in Ocotillo Wells, where diverse terrain meets a...

      Lot Size637.72 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Quaint Julian Homesite

    Julian, CA 92036

    $69,000

    Ready for Development!  This tranquil 1/4 acre home site is nestled conveniently in the San Diego County Mountains, within strolling...

      Lot Size.28 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    1.9 Acres on Mountain View

    Julian, CA 92036

    $89,000

    1.9 acres of Beautiful unimproved land is Nestled in the quaint Kentwood-in-the-Pines neighborhood, at the end of Mountain View...

      Lot Size1.9 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Long Journey Ranch

    Fallbrook, CA 92028

    $699,000

    Nestled on the margin of Southern California’s treasured Santa Rosa Plateau, Long Journey Ranch spans an expansive 40.15 acres,...

      Lot Size40.15 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Ramona View Homesite

    Ramona, CA 92065

    $299,000

    Located in the heart of the San Diego Country Estates, minutes away from downtown Ramona CA, this exceptional 8.83+/-...

      Lot Size8.83 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Rancho de Ensueño

    Santa Ysabel, CA 92070

    $3,900,000

    Situated in the heart of San Diego County’s unspoiled mountains, discover the crown jewel of Mesa Grande – Rancho...

      Lot Size342.96 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Mesa Grande Hideaway

    Santa Ysabel, CA 92070

    $129,000

    Discover this quintessential Mesa Grande Hideaway, situated in the richly forested foothills alongside picturesque Lake Henshaw, an unblemished basin...

      Lot Size10.23 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Wynola Estates 9.53 Acre Homesite

    Julian, CA 92036

    $99,000

    Located in the heart of San Diego County’s apple, wine, and gold country, lies this sprawling future home-site encompassing...

      Lot Size9.53 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    High Desert Pristine Land with Spectacular Views

    Julian, CA 92036

    $99,000

    Privacy. Serenity. Spectacular Mountain Views. Bordering Anza Borrego Desert State Park.  Beautiful 6+/- acres of unimproved, pristine high desert...

      Lot Size6 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Oak Ridge Stock Farm

    Julian, CA 92036

    $5,995,000

    Nestled in the heart of Southern California’s pristine San Diego County Mountains, the Oak Ridge Stock Farm spans over...

      Lot Size610+/- Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    View Property Overlooking Pala

    Fallbrook, CA 92028

    $399,000

    Seclusion and convenience can be yours on this  +/- 26.21 acre parcel near Pala, CA! Formerly an avocado grove,...

    • RRC#NDP2306801
    • Lot Size26 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Land For Sale
    117+/- Acre Pine Valley Blank Canvas

    Pine Valley, CA 91962

    $295,000

    Located in the beautiful backcountry area of Pine Valley and nestled in the foothills of the Cuyamaca Mountains, sits...

      Lot Size117.53 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Lot 11 of Ranchita Multiple Home Site Offering

    Ranchita, CA 92066

    $109,000

    Parcel 11 comprised of 8.32+/- Serene & Usable Acres – Perfect for the Ranching Lifestyle & Custom Dream Home!...

  • Active Listing For Sale
    Lot 10 of Ranchita Multiple Home Site Offering

    Ranchita, CA 92066

    $109,000

    Parcel 10 comprised of 8.20+/- Serene & Usable Acres – Perfect for the Ranching Lifestyle & Custom Dream Home!  Located...

      Lot Size8.20 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Lot 09 of Ranchita Multiple Home Site Offering

    Ranchita, CA 92066

    $109,000

    Parcel 09 comprised of 8.31+/- Serene & Usable Acres – Perfect for the Ranching Lifestyle & Custom Dream Home! ...

      Lot Size8.31 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Lot 08 of Ranchita Multiple Home Site Offering

    Ranchita, CA 92066

    $119,000

    9.12+/- Serene & Usable Acres featuring a Water Well – Perfect for the Ranching Lifestyle & Custom Dream Home!...

      Lot Size9.12 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Charming 15+/- Acre Lake View Property

    Santa Ysabel, CA 92070

    $219,000

    Discover the epitome of natural beauty at this breathtaking 15+/- acre property located on Bobcat Trail in Mesa Grande....

      Lot Size15.17 Acres
  • Listing For Sale
    Magee Road Getaway

    Fallbrook, CA 92028

    $89,000

    Nice Getaway property, 1.83 acres located within a lovely gated community located off Pala Temecula Rd. The property had...

      Lot Size1.83 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Sensational Mountain Home Site

    Garner Valley, 92561

    $950,000

    Majestic Home Site situated above 20+/- acres of gorgeous, varied terrain, this exquisite property offers unmatched beauty and is...

      Lot Size20 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Getaway property in Fallbrook

    Fallbrook, 92028

    $89,000

    Getaway property, 1.83 acres located within a lovely gated community located off Pala/Pechanga Pkwy. The property has a septic...

      Lot Size1.89 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    18+ acres in Beautiful Volcano

    Volcano, 95689

    $99,000

    18+ acres in Beautiful Volcano 18+ acres in beautiful Volcano, this property is two separate parcels (APN# 021-270-002 9.64ac,...

      Lot Size18.14 Acres
  • Active Listing For Sale
    Custom Mountain Dream Homesite

    Julian, 92036

    $235,000

    Custom Mountain Dream Homesite Located in the prestigious Julian Estates, this stunning 4.2+/- acre parcel is ready for your...

      Lot Size4.27 Acres

Red Hawk Realty works in all of these communities and more: