Building a personalized luxury home is a dream for many homeowners throughout the country. It’s an opportunity to take your dream home and turn it into a reality, from the intricate details to the view you wake up to. You get the creative freedom to do what you want with the location you have. However, before you can get started, you need to choose a plot of land. To help you figure out the best place to start construction on your new home, consider some tips on how to pick your new lot.
How to Choose a Lot to Build Your House On
Figuring out where to build your house is an important first step in the process of creating your luxury home. With a high budget, you have a lot of flexibility, but some prime lots can be just as expensive as building a home.
You may want to look at what some people refer to as “undesirable lots.” These are lots that may have a few minor issues that need to be sorted out (i.e., uneven grading or odd shapes). Although you may think this is a counterintuitive way to choose the location for your dream home, undesirable lots tend to be much less expensive and still offer a lot of potential. With the right team of contractors, you can bring your dream home to life wherever you are.
The best piece of advice when choosing a lot is to be patient and try to be open minded. Working hand-in-hand with your contractor can help you better understand how your plans could be brought to light on each unique piece of land.
With that being said, you shouldn’t settle for something you aren’t happy with. Building a home takes a lot of work and is a big investment, so you should be confident in your decision.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Lot
When you begin to survey possible locations for your new home build, there are a few things you’ll want to consider about the property itself. Some of the most important factors include:
1. Location of the Lot
Although it can seem overwhelming, the best way to begin narrowing down your choices is to get a general idea of where you want to live. If you’re moving to a new town, take the time to visit and tour different neighborhoods or subdivisions. Some towns may have no lots available in established neighborhoods, while others may be in the process of development with plenty of options to choose from.
Another factor in choosing your location will be the orientation of your home in reference to the sun. Do you want to wake up with the sun shining through your windows? Would you prefer to have less sunshine hitting your house throughout the day? What about views of a sunset? The location of your lot and its orientation to the sun can either make or break your dream home, so it’s definitely something to consider.
Similarly, you may want to consider how far away your home will be from your work or your children’s school. Commuting times can be pretty brutal for some areas, especially if you’re living in the suburbs but working in the city. The area you choose to build your home on will also affect which school your children attend. Make sure you look into these things in advance to avoid dealing with frustrating problems after the build has already been completed.
2. Surrounding Views
Building your dream home may mean planting yourself in the middle of the suburbs, or it could mean being right on the edge of a beautiful forest. Which do you prefer? Do you want to be surrounded by neighbors or would you enjoy a bit of isolation instead? There are some locations that allow for both, but they may be harder to come by. Think about what type of view you’d like to have and how you can incorporate it into your new luxury home build.
3. The Condition of the Land
When surveying potential lots for your new luxury home, try to get more information on the overall condition of the land. Although things may seem like they’re in great condition, it doesn’t necessarily mean the lot is the right fit for your needs. Working with a home building professional is a good way to get an expert opinion on prospective plots of land in regard to your dream home wish list. You should also have the soil tested before purchasing any property to avoid future damage to your home and your family’s health. Formal property evaluations can be carried out to give you a better idea of potential hazards that may not be visible at first.
4. Property Grading and Terrain
If a lot has poor grading, it becomes more susceptible to water damage, foundation issues, and even flooding. Over the years, these types of expenses can add up and affect everything from your home’s foundation to the landscaping outside. However, this can be a difficult thing for prospective buyers to notice, so it’s important to work with a professional home builder and bring them to your viewings. This will give you a comprehensive understanding of the quality of your lot and how it will hold up over the years following construction.
5. Cost for Land Preparation
You may need to create an additional budget to help prepare the lot for your new home. Although frustrating, being proactive about your lot and making sure it’s in top condition before you build will help ensure longevity and stability in your home’s foundation over the years. This could include tree removal, excavation, rectifying soil, and more. Your home building professional can provide you with more details on what to expect based on your desired lots.
6. Zoning Laws and Regulations
Zoning laws have existed for over a century and can cause a lot of problems if they’re not adhered to. They tell builders what they can or cannot do with a specific property and how it can be developed. This can lead to delays in approval for your building plans, or even full restrictions on your desired home construction.
7. Additional Lot Space and Use
While you may start off wanting to build a home with as much square footage as possible for the size of lot you have, take time to consider your outdoor area as well. There are plenty of additional luxury features that can help make your exterior space just as, if not more, enjoyable as your indoor space. This could include adding additional features or amenities like a pool, small put-put green, or sunroom. It could also mean building a children’s playground or incorporating fencing for safety. The landscape will dramatically change the look and feel of your home as well, and some people enjoy the hobby of gardening. Before you get started on the build, take some time to create a wish list for your dream home and include both indoor and outdoor features.
8. Floor Plans and Home Design
Finally, there are endless possibilities for floor plans with a new home build. You can create a layout that follows more of a traditional plan, or come up with something that’s completely personalized and unique. It’s really up to you to determine how you want to create and design your interior, so don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. Just make sure that you include an adequate number of bedrooms to accommodate your family, enough bathrooms to avoid feeling cramped, and additional rooms based on your family’s hobbies and needs. You can work with your home building professional to bring your ideas to life in a floor plan that’s optimized for function.
At Trade Mark Homes, we make building your dream home fun, exciting, and stress free. Our team of professionals helps you through all of the planning stages of building a new home, from assessing plots of land to construction of your dream home and added features. This allows us to deliver exceptional craftmanship from start to finish. By taking the time to fully understand your lifestyle and needs, we’re better equipped to turn the vision you have of your dream home into a reality. We also offer financial flexibility, so you can see your custom home design wish list come to life. Our flexible home leasing options means you can move into your beautiful home on your terms, not those set by commercial banks or loan sharks.
We understand that the first step in building your new home begins with you. Fill out an inquiry form or call us today at 479-267-9900 to schedule a consultation, discuss your vision, and review your budget.
