Things to look for when buying a vacant lot..

Do a soil test.

be sure it doesn't flood

be sure it is zoned residential

try to get a read on what kind of neighbors are around

Look at property around the subdivision. Think future expansion. Will there be a trailer park next door or a Walmart.

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Make sure you can fit the house you want on it. be sure of all set backs and requirements. I went thought this process and received and expensive lesson.

Several others have listed the main items:

- Size, Neighborhood, Schools, flood plain, etc.

If you are looking through established subdivisions, the zoning and infrastructure items should generally be covered.

Here are some additional poitners:

- Mature Trees, ideally your lot will have some mature trees after you are finished.

- Drain inlets, ditches - Dont buy a lot with any drain inlets along its frontage. Likewise, with a ditch running along any of the lot lines.

- Ideally, you want the lot to be 18" higher than any point along adjacent roads

- Walk potential lots the day after it rains, if the soil is spongy, I would pass. You might be able to bring in some sandy fill to help, but generally soils that retain water at the surface will be problematic.

Of course, if the "lots" you are looking at are 1 acre or greater, you can work around a good deal of drainage issues.