There is nothing quite like the feeling of moving into a brand-new home. With housing inventory at an all-time low, demand for new home construction is on the rise. With the ability to customize your floor plan and live in a home that’s never been occupied by anyone else, it’s easy to see why building a home is highly appealing for many people. While building might require a larger upfront investment, you can also expect to recover a lot of those expenses by avoiding costly home repairs for years to come.
Buying and preparing land can often seem like an intimidating part of the home-building journey. In order to avoid costly issues during construction, you’ll need to carefully evaluate the lot before you buy it. This will help you ensure the land is suitable for your intended use. Below, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to start the process.
Evaluating Land
Before buying land, you’ll need to evaluate its quality to ensure it’s suitable for residential construction. Failing to properly assess the quality of the lot could lead to unexpected challenges during development. Below are three major steps or considerations when evaluating a piece of land:
- Surveying The Land
Just as you would schedule a home inspection before buying a home, having a professional evaluate the quality of land before closing is equally as important. A surveyor can outline the boundaries of the property so you can be sure the lot is large enough to support your blueprint. A surveyor will also help you understand what aspects of the land are included in the sale, if the land can support development, and whether the property is zoned for residential construction. While surveying the land, your contractor may also recommend a soil analysis to better inform construction feasibility. - Determine The Accessibility Of The Land
Not all land parcels are equipped with the infrastructure needed to support residential construction. Access to electricity, water, and sewers are important considerations. Access to public roads might be a more obvious, but equally important consideration. A lack of utilities doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker as septic tanks and wells are always available, but you should also consider your property value as well as local regulations when determining if these options are feasible. This is where a land real estate broker can help; however, in most cases, purchasing land with utility access will save you a lot of time and money. - Check Zoning Laws and Secure Permits
Even if your surveyor confirms your land is zoned for residential construction, it’s important to be knowledgeable about the zoning rules and restrictions in your particular area. Zoning rules can not only influence what you can build, but how you build it too. It’s also a good idea to start the process of applying for your building and zoning permits, as it can take some time. - Purchasing The Land
After you’ve evaluated the land, it will be time to move on to the closing process. Your real estate agent will help ensure all contingencies in your contract have been satisfied, funding has been secured (if necessary), and the title has been cleared. Then, your agent will help coordinate with the seller and title company to complete the closing process.
Preparing The Land
After you’ve purchased the land, the next step is to determine whether or not the land needs to be cleared and graded. If the parcel is full of trees, brush, and vegetation, then it likely needs to be prepared before construction begins. This involves removing vegetation, but your land may also need to be leveled or graded depending on the requirements of your new home.
This work may be handled by your homebuilder or you might need to hire a contractor to clear the land. If you do need to hire another company for land-clearing, you’ll want to make sure they’re skilled and experienced, and willing to work hand-in-hand with your homebuilders to ensure the clearing and grading is performed in conjunction with your construction plans.
Once your land is cleared and graded, then it’s time to build. You’ll be one step closer to moving into your brand new home.
Evaluating and preparing land can be challenging. If you’re thinking about building a home, trust Palmetto Realty to help you find the perfect lot for a new home today. Give us a call at 386-200-1860 to start your land search.