3 Things To Consider Before Buying Land To Build A Custom Home On

Posted on: 1 August 2016

Building a custom home can be very exciting, but before any plans for the actual house are drawn up, it is important to find the perfect lot. Buying land for a custom home can be a large financial investment, so it is important to understand what to look for and what you need to know in order to avoid headaches and unexpected expenses in the future. Use the following tips if you plan to look for land for sale to build your dream home on in the near future:

Utilities

When you find a lot that you are interested in, it is very important to ask questions about utilities and find out whether the land is developed or undeveloped. A developed lot will already have utility lines for water, gas, electricity, cable, and telephone placed on the property. A developed lot may have a higher listing price, but the convenience of not having the extra cost of having utility lines installed may be worth it.

If you have fallen in love with a piece of undeveloped land, it is a good idea to contact the utility companies in the area to find out how much it will cost to have the lines installed prior to making an offer. Depending on how remote the lot is, having utility lines installed may be very expensive. 

Road Access

Another thing to consider when buying land to build a custom home is road access. Ideally, you will want the land to be located close to or adjacent to a public road that is maintained by the county or city. If you plan to buy a very large lot and have your home set back from the road, you will have to be prepared to have a private road built. You will be responsible for maintaining a private road and arranging for plowing services if the lot is located in an area that receives snow in the winter months. 

Zoning

It is important to think about zoning when looking for a lot for your custom home. If you want to build a main house and then other buildings, such as a guest home, detached garage, shed, or barn, it is important to find out if the land you're interested in is zoned for multiple buildings. It is also a good idea to find out how the surrounding land is zoned so you are not surprised in the future if your lot is located near an area that is zoned for industrial or commercial buildings. 

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