ACRE - a two dimensional measure of land equaling 4,840 square yards or 43,560 square feet.
ADVERSE POSSESSION - a means of acquiring title to real estate where an occupant has been in actual, open, notorious, exclusive and continuous occupancy of property for the period required by state law.
"DESERT LAND" (which is what the Phoenix area is) has some characteristics which need to be understood. Some of these are:
FLOOD PLAIN: Most people struggle with the notion of flooding in the desert. But as stated above, it DOES rain here, and where washes can't handle the run-off, or where the run-off doesn't occur frequently enough for washes to develop, then the rain water pools in flood plains. These aren't the massive floods you see on the news with water depth measured in feet. The depth is usually in inches, but it can stand on the ground for many days. You CAN build in a flood plain, but it requires special foundations and results in increased insurance expenses. It's best to avoid building in a flood plain, and for this reason, lots that are partially or completely in a designated flood plain are usually priced significantly lower than lots outside a flood plain. Flood plain maps are available from the county and it's critical to understand a parcel's flood plain status before purchase (or sale).
LEGAL DESCRIPTION: A description of land recognized by law, based on government surveys, spelling out the exact boundaries of the entire piece of land. It should so thoroughly identify a parcel of land that it cannot be confused with any other.
PARCEL NUMBER: This is a unique number assigned to each parcel. The first three digits are usually the Assessor's map number, the second two digits are the Assessor's map number, the next three are the Assessor's parcel number. Sometimes, when the parcel has been split, you will see a letter after the last three numbers.
PERCOLATION TEST (or "Perc Test"): Outlying desert land isn't connected to a municipal sewer system. So septic tanks have to be installed to handle waste-water and "stuff". Critical to a standard septic tanks functioning is the ability of the ground to absorb water, or for the water to "percolate" through the ground. There is some desert land that can't support a standard septic system, in which case one of several "alternative" septic systems will be needed. There is a "septic system for everyone", and a perc test will help determine what type of septic system is needed. Unless you know exactly where you plan to install a septic system, getting the perc test done before you actually plan to build is probably a waste of time and money. It's best to wait until a site plan is being developed. At that time a perc test is good at determining the type and size of septic system needed.
SURVEY: Some of the land around Tucson was surveyed and subdivided decades ago. As such, many of the original survey markers are burried or gone. Some land buyers insist on having a parcel surveyed, some don't seem to care. Whether the buyer or seller pays for the survey ($1000 - $1500) is negotiable.
WASHES: It doesn't rain much in the desert, but when it does it rains a lot. Usually more than the ground can absorb. The water has to go somewhere, and over time "washes" develop that are basically dry creek beds. Dry that is until the next rain. Washes on land are both good and bad. Desert vegitation tends to grow and develop along washes, and most people enjoy having some vegitation on their land. Washes also break up flat terrain, making the land more "interesting" and pleasing to the eye. However, for obvious reasons, you don't want to build a home in a wash, and if washes criss-cross a parcel, finding enough room for a home site may be difficult.
WATER : This is a desert--it doesn't rain much and water is scarce. In most areas Southwestern Arizona sits on a large underground aquifers (natural reservoirs below the earth's surface), which is where Tucson and surrounding towns get a significant portion of their water. Since the water is located deep underground, there's only one way to reach it--drilling a well. This isn't as simple as digging a hole and lowering a bucket to retrieve water. Depending on the level of the water table, it may take a well 1,000 feet deep to reach the water. Then the water has to be pumped out. Sounds expensive, doesn't it? It can be. Drilling a private well can cost thousands of dollars. This is the reason that "Shared Wells" are so prominent. With a shared well, 2 to 25 people combine resources to drill a well and distribute the water.
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