What does it mean if a parcel is "landlocked" and how much of a problem is that really?

Landlocked means a parcel has no legal, recorded access to a public road. This is a different and more serious situation than a parcel simply being far from a paved road. Remote is fine, landlocked is a real legal problem.

Landlocked parcels can sometimes gain access, most commonly through a recorded easement negotiated with a neighboring landowner, or in some cases through what is called an easement by necessity, a legal remedy that can apply when a parcel would otherwise have no way to reach a road. Importantly, neither of these happens automatically. Both require a legal process, negotiation with a neighbor for a voluntary easement, or a court proceeding for an easement by necessity, and neither is guaranteed to succeed.

Because of this, landlocked status should be treated as a serious red flag, not a minor inconvenience to sort out later. Before closing on a landlocked parcel:

• Get a real estate attorney's read on whether access is realistically achievable for this specific parcel
• Do not assume a neighbor will agree to grant an easement just because it seems reasonable
• Factor in that resolving access, if possible at all, may take real time and possibly cost money

A landlocked parcel can sometimes still be a good deal, particularly if there is already a clear path to a recorded easement, but that needs to be confirmed before closing, not assumed as something that will work itself out afterward.