I am looking into buying 50 acres of land in northern Michigan and the seller is willing to enter into a land contract, which I am OK with. My question is, as the buyer of the land, what legal rights concerning the parcel would I have as soon as I enter into the contract? For example, could I do some logging and construction on the property while I am still making payments on the land? Is this something that needs to be specified in the contract before I enter into it? I've been searching online for the answers to this but to no avail. I appreciate anyone's help with this. Jim

Yes, your rights should definitely be specified in the contract. If I were the owner I would want, for example, the right to approve any improvement (such as a building) you make to the property (The contractual language should add that "such approval will not unreasonably be withheld".). And logging the property may decrease it's value to the owner should you not follow through. The more of these things you think about in advance and settle in the contract, the better for the both of you.

In a land sales contract any rights that you want as to use of the property would need to be SPECIFICALLY spelled out in the contract. The ONLY rights you will have are those conveyed in the contract. The seller remains the owner of the property until the terms of the contract are fulfilled. Therefore, the seller would have to approve any changes made to the property unless they are specified in the contract.

Therefore, it is in your best interests to have your attorney draw up the contract or, at least, review it before signing.