Sometimes you have to get creative
I’ve talked a lot about water. How critical it is to property values. How frustrating the water companies can be. And how the whole thing can feel like a bit of a racket.
Other utilities matter too, but they’re often easier to manage.
No sewer? You can always go with septic. It means your lots have to be larger, typically at least one acre depending on the location, but development is still very doable.
Electric is usually not far away. Most providers will bring power to the front of your property at no cost. From there you just cover the cost of running it to your home or development. Unless you’re miles from the grid, which is unlikely around here, it’s almost always manageable.
Internet is getting more important all the time. If someone wants to live in an outlying area and can afford today’s prices, it’s almost a given they work remotely at least part of the time. Ideally there’s fiber or at least DSL available, and that’s becoming more common. But even if not, there are cellular and satellite options that are improving fast and can bridge the gap.
But water? You can’t work around that. If you don’t have water service, there’s not much you can do.
You need water to build. To develop. To sell smaller tracts. You can drill a well, but that’s expensive and the water quality can be hit or miss.
Water is the gatekeeper, and the water companies know it. That’s where the racket comes in. You need them, and they don’t have competition. So they make the rules.
But there are ways to turn the tables.
Years ago I was part of a group buying land as an investment. We knew a larger line would be needed for future development, so we met with the local co-op. Of course they wanted us to pay for any improvements.
But then they mentioned they were looking for a new well site, possibly on the west side of our land.
Instead of negotiating the sale price, we offered to donate a site on the east side. That meant they’d have to run a line across the front of our property.
That move didn’t just help the water company. It made our land more valuable and future-proofed development.
That’s the kind of thinking I bring to a project. I’ve built solid relationships with utility providers. I know what’s possible, and I know how to get it done even when it feels rigged.
When you’re ready to buy, sell, or develop land in North Texas, I can help you avoid the headaches and find the wins others miss.
Just tell me when.
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