An Information and Instructional Guide
Chapter 5 - Choosing the Lot
Location of Lot
Choosing the right lot is one of the most important decisions and factors into a number of other outcomes. Start by deciding what is important to you about where your home is located? Here are some questions you need to ask yourself.
- Do you need to be close to a school? Are there enough stores nearby? Are parks important?
- How busy is the traffic in front of your house?
- How far from work will you be?
- Are you looking for privacy or an active community with a lot of neighbors?
- How close to an expressway do you want to be?
- Are you willing to pay more for a better location? How much?
- Is the lot a match for the type of home you plan on building?
- Is the price consistent with the area? Is your “great deal” too good for a reason?
- Do you need a realtor?
Free Standing Lot
This is plain vacant land. It could be near an existing home or all by itself. It could be full of trees or just flat grassland. It is not an identified parcel within a new development. If you are looking for privacy and a spot all your own there a few things to consider.
- Is the lot buildable? Is the shape usable? Is it big enough?
- Is there municipal water and sanitary sewers, if not you will need to install a well and septic tank. Are underground utilities available (phone, electric, cable)?
- How is the slope of the ground? Is there a good firm soil base with good drainage? Is it full of large rocks (above and/or below ground)? Are there any ditches, ruts or creeks? Is it located in a flood plain?
- What are the requirements regarding setbacks, land coverage, home offices and outbuildings?
- Check the zoning to see whom any potential neighbors could be (a slaughter house, a steel mill). Are there plans for new construction nearby (i.e. a new casino or an airport or a landfill)?
- Is the area on the upswing or downswing?
- Is there a bay or lake view? Will your great view always be there?
- Check the boundary lines, there may be some tax or local services differences.
- What way will your house be facing (where are the sunny and shady spots)? Are there trees present? Are the trees healthy and disease free?
- Do you need extra room for recreation? How much lawn do you want mow? Is it quiet? Is there access to major roads?
- What is the cost of the lot and are there less expensive lots nearby that offer the same qualities? Is there adjacent land available for purchase?
- You will need a professional to get the site work done.
Subdivision Lot
Is the lot your looking at is in a subdivision it may eliminate many of the above issues. However there are still a number of things that you should consider.
- Are you at the beginning or the end of the development phase? What placement does your lot have within the subdivision (straight road, corner lot, or maybe in a cul-de-sac? Are you in a headlight path?
- How close will your neighbors be? Is there any physical or visual privacy? Are there any trees yet or will have to wait 10 years for them to grow? What direction will your house be facing (where will the sunny and shady spots be)?
- How is the drainage, is your lot the one collecting from the others around it?
- Is it convenient to get the main road? Will you get lost trying to find your way around?
- Are there neighborhood groups or associations? Are there any fees? What about restrictions and covenants (such as no pets, pools or fences)? Are there community facilities (such as pools, tennis courts or event rooms)?
- Is the builder reputable? What other work has he done (don’t be afraid to take a drive through the development)? Are the owners of the first houses built still happy or has there been early turnover?
- Are you on a golf course (errant golf balls or noisy golfers)?
- Does the development back up to a busy road? Is it quiet?
- Who will your direct neighbors be? Does there lifestyle mesh with yours?
- Are there a lot of kids and pets (barking dogs) in the neighborhood? Is that a good thing?
- Does the house you want to build fit into the neighborhood?
- How do you find out what other subdivisions have available lots?
- Is the same builder developing other subdivisions?
- Take a walk through the development and see what things you notice.
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