SomeGuy
Hobbyist
Since I started this thread I've shifted gears and I'm now researching vacant land instead for a place to build. Whole new set of issues to watch out for: zoning restrictions, setbacks, soil types and slopes, flood plains and wetlands, rights of way and easements, utilities available, nearest fire station, etc. I'm very confident that most agents won't be very helpful in this area, and I need to do all the work myself so I'm in agreement with Slow-poke that a buying agent is just a waste of money.
What I would like is someone who can be hired to do both a risk assessment w.r.t. my intention to build a house and separate garage, and an independent valuation for me on a property I'm interested in buying. That would have value.
Find the conservation authority for your area's mapping tool, they'll show you regulation limits, flood plains, wetlands, etc. and you'll quickly discover that any prime piece of vacant land that isn't already built on is 99 times out of 100 not buildable due to restrictions. That, or the price will be absurdly high. Then throw on top of that needing to put in well, septic, utilities, driveway, etc. and it gets even more grim.
I've been browsing as well and originally wanted vacant, but am starting to think any lot with a reasonably serviceable house on it would be better. Build my garage with a 1 bedroom in it and then tear the house down and rebuild what I want sometime in the future.