What to Ask Before You Buy a Fixer-Upper or Piece of Land
Buying a home with “potential” can be exciting—but it can also come with a lot of unknowns.
Whether you’re touring a dated house in a great location or walking a blank piece of land, it's important to understand what’s actually feasible before making an offer.
That’s where a pre-purchase architectural consultation can help.
What is a Vision and Viability Visit?
A Vision and Viability Visit is an early-stage, on-site meeting with a licensed architect. It’s not a full design process. Instead, it’s a focused consultation to help you:
Understand what’s possible on a specific site
Identify zoning, septic, and structural constraints
Catch potential red flags
Ask better questions before moving forward
This type of visit can happen before or after you make an offer—whether you're just starting to imagine possibilities or you're deep into due diligence.
Why It Matters
Architectural guidance early in the process helps you avoid common pitfalls like:
Assuming you can expand when zoning won’t allow it
Overlooking infrastructure challenges (drainage, utilities, access)
Falling in love with a layout that won’t meet code
Misjudging the cost of a renovation or addition
Getting clarity before you invest can help you save money, reduce stress, and make smarter decisions.
How a Visit Works
Every architect approaches this differently, but most offer these visits on an hourly basis with no long-term commitment.
Typically, you’ll meet on-site and walk the property together. The architect may take notes, flag issues, offer ideas, or explain zoning and building code implications.
If the property is under a tight deadline, some architects also offer expedited zoning or feasibility reports to help buyers act quickly and confidently.
When to Schedule One
You don’t need to wait until after you’ve closed on a property to get professional insight.
Consider scheduling a visit if:
You’re evaluating a fixer-upper and want to understand layout potential
You’re considering raw land and need to know what’s buildable
You already bought, but don’t know where to begin
You’re comparing multiple properties and need guidance
A Vision and Viability Visit isn’t about locking in a design—it’s about knowing whether your goals are realistic for the site in question.