7 Things to Know Before Buying Land for a New Home
Finding the perfect piece of land can make building a new home feel one step closer to reality. But before you fall in love with the view, acreage, or location, it’s important to know whether the property can actually support the home you want to build.
A great lot on paper isn’t always a great building lot. Here are seven things to consider before purchasing land for your future home.
1. Make Sure the Property Is Buildable
Just because land is listed for sale doesn’t necessarily mean you can build the home you want on it.
Local zoning requirements, setbacks, easements, wetlands, deed restrictions, and other regulations can affect where and what you’re allowed to build. Before purchasing, make sure you understand any restrictions that apply to the property.
This is especially important if you have a specific home size, attached garage, porch, or other features in mind.
2. Find Out What Utilities Are Available
One of the biggest factors to consider is how your future home will be serviced.
Does the property have access to public water and sewer? What about natural gas or electric service?
If public utilities aren’t available, you may need a private well and septic system. Extending utilities or installing private systems can add costs to your project, so it’s important to understand what is available before purchasing the property.
3. Consider the Site, Not Just the Acreage
Five acres of land doesn’t necessarily mean five acres of usable building space.
The slope of the property, soil conditions, drainage, trees, waterways, and overall terrain can all affect where a home can be placed and how much site preparation may be required.
Think about more than where the house will sit. You’ll also need room for things like a driveway, garage, septic system if applicable, drainage, and outdoor living areas.
4. Think About Site Preparation Costs
The cost of your land is only part of the equation.
Clearing trees, excavation, grading, driveway installation, utility connections, and other site work can have a significant impact on your overall construction budget.
A less expensive property that requires extensive site preparation may ultimately cost more than a higher-priced lot that’s better suited for construction.
5. Consider Your Home Before Choosing the Lot
If you already have an idea of the type of home you want, keep it in mind while looking at properties.
A wide ranch home may require a very different lot than a two-story design with a smaller footprint. The placement of an attached garage, walkout basement, porch, and even the direction you want the home to face can influence whether a property works for your plans.
You don’t necessarily need to have your exact floor plan selected, but having a general idea of what you want can help narrow your land search.
6. Don’t Forget About Driveway and Garage Access
It may seem like a small detail, but how you’ll access your future home and garage can have a big impact on your plans.
Consider where the driveway could be located, how long it would need to be, and whether the property has appropriate road access. You’ll also want to think about garage access and whether a front-entry or side-entry garage makes the most sense for the property. If you’re considering a side-entry garage, think about whether access would need to come from the left or right side of the home and whether the lot provides enough space for the driveway and turning area.
This is worth considering even if you don’t plan to build a garage right away. Thinking ahead about where a future garage could be added and how vehicles would access it can help ensure the placement of your home doesn’t limit your options later.
The terrain between the road and your potential homesite can also affect construction and long-term maintenance. For larger or more rural properties, driveway and garage access can become an important part of the overall project plan and budget.
7. Talk to Your Builder Before You Buy
You don’t have to wait until you own land to start talking with a home builder.
In fact, involving your builder earlier can help you look at a potential property from a construction perspective. Your builder can help you think through the type of home you’re considering, potential site needs, and questions you may want answered before committing to a property.
That extra conversation could help you avoid purchasing land that doesn’t work well for your plans or requires more work than you expected.
Planning to Build a New Home?
Buying land is an exciting first step, but the right property should work for both your lifestyle and the home you want to build.
At Lake City Homes, we can help you explore home designs, understand the building process, and start putting the pieces of your project together.
Whether you already own property or you’re still searching for the right place to build, you don’t have to have everything figured out before reaching out.
Contact Lake City Homes to start planning your new home today.