17 Ways To Choose The Best Lot When Building A House
If you’re looking into building a new house, then the very first step is to choose a builder. Simultaneously, you should also be searching for a lot! Finding an area that you want to live in and choosing a lot can help narrow down the search for the right builder and start the building process. Here’s everything you need to know about how to choose the best lot when building a house!
Choosing a lot for your new build home is a big decision. There are so many factors to consider! Ultimately, it’s a very personal decision that is neither “right” or “wrong”. Consider the list below and make your own list in order of priority. From there, you can decide if the potential lot checks off the most important factors and if it’s a fit for you and your family!
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How To Choose A Lot When Building A House
1. Proximity To Work
Find a lot and neighborhood that’s close to work, school, daycares, and where spend most of your time! This the first step to choosing a lot when building a house.
2. Looking At Schools In The Area
If you have children (or are planning on having children), it’s important to look at the schools in the area. Great Schools is a wonderful way to look at school ratings and find out where the best schools are in order to begin your initial search for a lot!
3. Driving Around The Neighborhood
Have a neighborhood in mind? Drive around it several times before choosing a lot. Drive around it in the morning, in the evening when people are home and traffic is busy, and at night. Look at the surrounding homes to help you determine which lot you like the most!
4. Determine If Your Builder Is An Option
If you have a specific builder in mind, the next step is to determine if your builder can build in the neighborhood that you like. If he/she doesn’t, then you may need to look at other neighborhoods or choose a different builder.
5. Future Plans For The Area
What are the future plans for the area? Will more homes be built? What are the surrounding businesses, and are there plans to build more? Look into your city’s future planning to find out the answers to these questions. If you’re looking to be in a thriving and growing area, then plans for building more are a good thing for you. After all, this can help increase the value of your home over time! If you’re looking to get away from society a bit, then maybe moving further away is a potentially better option.
7. The Houses Around The Lot
How will the style of your new build home fit into the style of surrounding homes in the neighborhood? It’s important to find a neighborhood that incorporates elements of the style you’re going for!
8. How Far It Is From A Main Road
How far is the neighborhood and lot from a main road or highway? If you regularly need access to a main road to get to work or take the kids to school, then it’s important to find a lot that’s close by.
9. The Slope Of The Lot
Once you determine the lot that you’re interested in, be sure to look into the slope of the lot. It’s important to choose a lot that slopes away from where the house would be (not towards the middle of the lot), allowing for natural rainwater drainage and keeping it from collecting standing water. This can help prevent loads of foundation or landscaping issues in the future!
10. The Shape Of The Lot
The shape of a lot can drastically affect the shape and size of home that is built on it. A pie shaped lot may require a narrow and long home to fit the lot, where as a wide rectangular lot would need a wider and more shallow home on it. However, a two story home is often an option as well!
11. Trees In The Area
When you think of your dream home, does it have lots of big trees? Tons of open skies? Depending on what your dream build looks like, trees in your new neighborhood can either be a good thing or a bad thing. While trees can take a little bit of work to maintain, they are also beautiful and can add character. Ultimately trees are a preference thing, but definitely worth thinking about when you choose a lot for your new build home!
12. Taxes
Looking at the taxes in your new neighborhood can help determine if the lot you want is within your budget or not. Will the taxes on the home be affordable long term? This is an important question to ask when choosing a lot.
13. Orientation Of The Lot
Do you prefer morning light or evening light? It’s important to note which way the lot runs (north and south vs. east and west) as well as where your potential windows may be. If you plan on having large windows in the living room, it may be of value to ensure that the living room is facing in a direction that brings in the best light!
14. Consider Privacy
Consider the level of privacy that you’re looking for in a new home. This will determine the type of lot you choose! Want a little bit of extra privacy? You may consider a lot that doesn’t include backyard neighbors.
15. Utilities
The utility company options in your potential neighborhood are an important consideration before finalizing a lot! Along with that, consider what utilities may even be available if living far away from the city.
16. Learn About Easements
Does the lot you are considering back up to an easement, alley, or green belt? Research and ask around to find out what that area is used for and if there are future plans for the area.
17. Consider The Size Of The Home
If you have a certain size of home in mind, be sure to ask your builder if it will fit on the lot that you’re looking into. There’s nothing worse than getting into the building process and realizing that you will have to adjust your plans in order to make it work on the lot. This is an essential step to choosing the best lot and achieving your dream home!
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