1. Does the lot have utilities available?

If you don't want to live completely "off-grid" as some do, you are most likely going to want the basics...Water, electricity, sewer. It can also greatly affect your home build cost depending on how far away you are from those utility hookup locations. 

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2. Will a Septic system be necessary?

If you have a lot that is not connected to a public sewer system, you may have to get a Septic System for your lot. This involves a septic tank buried in the yard connected to the house and is also connected to septic fill lines that are also installed underground in the yard. This is primarily for homes in rural areas where a public sewer system is not available. A percolation test for suitable soil areas is needed well beforehand to install a septic system and will need approval by the city/county. 

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3. Is there a survey of the land available?

This is an important piece of information you will want if it's available. This is a legally measured layout of your property that shows the boundaries of the lot (good if you're putting in a fence or other improvements to the land). It can include any Deed Restrictions for the property along with suitable soil sites for a septic system. 

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4. Will a Well be needed for a water source?

If there is no public water system to be connected to on the lot, you may need to have a well dug and a pump system to be installed (possibly a filtration system also). This can be costly and would need to be determined if it's feasible well before any construction were to take place.

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5. Is there an Easement for the property?

In Tennessee is not permissible to sell Land Locked Land where there is no access to the property. An Easement allows for that access. It is a legal permission for one land owner to allow use of their land giving access to another adjacent piece of property that has no optional access. This access can either be included in a Deed or can be what is considered Common Use where one party has used the access over a number of years. It can also be a verbal agreement by property owners. Always a good idea to get the Easement included in a Deed however. 

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***These are just some quick tips to consider when looking at land to purchase. There are many costs and other criteria to think about as well that can cause home construction delays. Every situation will be different.