buying land In Thurston CO, Due Diligence and Choosing Insurance

Hi Folks,

We are putting an offer in on land in Thurston Co, WA and are beginning our due diligence process. This is our first time making it to this point in our search for land and I am feeling a little overwhelmed! If y'all can help simplify the tasks ahead I would be just SO grateful. I am aware that Thurston Co is heavy on the beaurocracy and permitting processes, we've weighed these issues against the benefits of the land and proximity to our community and are okay with it.

In addition to water testing, gopher soil survey, zoning details and ALL THE REST (so much) I need to know what we'd be looking at for insurance. Can anyone here give me some suggestions on this? I've used Thurston's mapping tools to get a picture for myself of flood zones (the place is just uphill from one but not in it), landslides, toxic sites, and so on. Since we are in the west, we plan to obtain fire & earthquake insurance. After this past summer, I don't think we would consider moving forward with this land if we are refused fire insurance. Suggestions on specific insurance providers as well as policies we oughtn't to proceed without?

I know about the gophers. The property is neither prairie nor grassland and the soil is primarily Wilkeson silt loam, not a preferred soil for the little buddies. The seller is going to hand over their gopher surveys in a few days if they accept our offer.

It has been evaluated at 20% wetland, I've included a screenshot of the wetland survey map. The wetlands here come with the 300' buffer, I'm good with this. I am glad to know that our neighbors, whoever they are, wouldn't be able to build right up to the property lines on the southern and western edges.


So many thanks in advance!


-Raven

Have you seen the imagery available over at the USGS National Map? Note my plat line overlay from your image may not be exactly correct, so all cautions.

Closer in image of the plat area

In addition to paying for a title search wander your wallet over to the county courthouse and get a copy of every title and lien ever held on your property, it will help you understand relationships and why some people think they have "rights" on your property.
In specific look for people that may have claims on water or access right passing through your property, while a new path of access may have been created a traditional (unused) one must be specifically revoked to eliminate it.
Call the State and ask for permits that may have been pulled on the house...and other buildings....the current owner is responsible for procuring a certificate of occupancy.

In the house look for warped floors, sagging rooflines, mold,and soft floors. Federal Pacific panels and Zinsco panels are obsolete and potentially hazardous, and your insurance may not cover a building so powered, two prong outlets stopped being used in the 60's,. Look for cracks in basement walls and water traces on floors,....everything can be repaired.....and its also a bargaining point when hard money is being discussed (less so in this market where everyone is trying to escape the coast).

Insurance? Let it be known your shopping and don't commit until you have a broad cross section of offers. My best has come from Farm Bureau....whom were the only ones interested in providing flood insurance without several thousand being spent for a "survey" just to determine how badly they were going to stick me!