Capone: Be careful before buying Westport land

Conservation agent said he’s heard of several sales that caused problems for their buyers

By Ted Hayes
Posted 8/12/24

If you’re looking at an inexpensive piece of land in Westport, be forewarned — if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

That was the word from conservation agent Chris …

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Capone: Be careful before buying Westport land

Conservation agent said he’s heard of several sales that caused problems for their buyers

Posted

If you’re looking at an inexpensive piece of land in Westport, be forewarned — if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

That was the word from conservation agent Chris Capone, who told members of the conservation commission last week that he has recently heard of several buyers who purchased small lots of land only to find out later that they are not buildable, or at least not as buildable as they had hoped.

“If you see a property under $100,000 for sale in the town of Westport, it’s definitely got issues,” he said.

The issue came to light as Capone last week requested, and was granted, permission to send an enforcement order to a man who bought a small lot of land off Register Avenue.

The small property is land-locked off paper streets, with little access and is surrounded by wetlands, yet the man bought the property for about $25,000, believing “it’s a buildable, viable piece of land,” Capone said.

Capone learned recently that the man cut vegetation within the wetlands and a buffer zone area, and the enforcement order orders him to cease and desist his clearing activity and to restore the land to its previous state.

Even with all the work he undertook, Capone said the man’s property would need a host of improvements. The land is “encumbered with difficulties” and “he has no place to put the house so I don’t know what this particular person is thinking.”

Capone noted that Real Estate agents are required to disclose issues with the properties they sell, so prospective buyers should do thorough research before they decide to purchase any property, particularly undeveloped lots.

“There are no deals remaining,” he said. “I urge people to do your homework and do your due diligence before you sign for such properties.”

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