Selecting a Lot
Your lot selection is a very important part of the home-building process because choosing the right site will help to ensure a successful project. Too many times a custom home buyer will purchase a lot before they determine their budget or engage the services of a builder. Doing things in this order doesn’t mean your project is doomed to fail however it can cause serious issues in the design, planning, and budget stages of building your home.
If you choose to find your lot before you select a builder the site may prove overly expensive to build on due to factors you failed to consider. Unfavorable soil conditions, steep terrain, drainage issues, utility and other easements, the unavailability of utility services, or other restrictions might not be apparent to you but they would be to a builder. In addition, you’ll want to consider any restrictive covenants imposed by the neighborhood homeowners association. In the worst situations, a lot can be so poorly suited for a home construction project that it is cost prohibitive.
Be sure to consider the future too. Is that undeveloped area behind your lot a greenbelt or is it a soon to be apartment complex? Your local planning commission can provide details about the zoning in areas around your new neighborhood.
You also need to consider how you are going to use your property. If you have children will they have enough room to play? Is there enough room for a yard or sports court? What about a pool? Will the trees you love so much need to be removed to make way for the new house or pool? You don’t want to find out after you’ve purchased your lot that you can’t fit everything on it you will like.
Another reason to find your builder before you find your lot is that sometimes builders receive a discount on lots purchased from a developer which means the builder can actually save you money on your purchase.
One of the main reasons you want to wait to design your home until after you have selected your lot is that many aspects of the final design will be determined by the lot.
The location of certain rooms within your home, the orientation of your home with respect to the sun, the location of the driveway, and other design elements will be directly affected by the lot.
The best method for finding the perfect lot is to find your builder first and then let them help you select the perfect lot for the home you have in mind.