Several months ago I bought several small quarter acre lots of land in Utah.  The sellers listed the land as being free of any liens, taxes paid, and supplied surveys of the land.  I paid with paypal and the sellers continued to communicate well throughout the process.  The sellers sent the transfer documents to the respective County tax offices for recordation.  The transfers were recorded and a notiazed, certificate of recordation was sent to me from the respective county offices.  Recently, I received a notice from a county Office of Community Development representative who inidcated that this land was subdivided by the seller without review of this office, and that a notice of "non-compliance" would lodged against the properties..  The letter quoted Utah State laws substantiating this process.  I contend that this matter should have been detected by the County of recordation during the recordation and certification of transfer process.  I not quite sure of what the outcome will be.  Nevertheless, this experience has reminded me that you must check all state and county ordinancs and laws prior to purchasing the land.  I know that, in most cases, that you may not have the time research respective laws where you plan to buy land or homes.  However, the sellers tell you to use due diligence in buying their properties.  This is of the utmost importance.

These sellers conducted smooth transactions, communicated very well and apparantly made great  effort to conduct a smooth transfer process.   They may have made a mistake or oversight.  They may have known and disregarded the appropriate process.  That.s why you have to constently research all the laws and legal processes involved.  States and counties may differ in their rules and regulations.  Thus, buyer beware and be thorough.