<prompt> Human: Basic situation: there is an exurban area with cheap parcels of land for sale that I think will be worth a significant amount in the long term future say 15 to 30 years. Im considering buying up some acreage in cash. I am curious what risks there are to doing this? I dont mean things like the value of the property might go down, or property taxes might go up. I know that stuff. Im talking about everything else that someone who has never done this before might not know. Example: considering it is an empty parcel of land, could the city require me to trim the wild landscaping? That type of thing. Any help would be appreciated.  <response>: Some other small risks nobody has mentioned: Environmental: If there is for some reason toxic waste on your land, you could be responsible. Some bum dumps a couple barrels of waste? Could be your problem. Wildlife: Too bad that they just discovered an endangered species of field mouse on your property. Now you cant develop it and nobody else wants to buy it. 