Embarking on the process of building your own home is a dream come true for many. It is exciting to think of having your own space that you can customise to suit the specific needs of you and your family. The key to ensuring the process goes smoothly is researching all aspects before committing yourself both emotionally and financially.
One of the major considerations of home building is buying the land upon which you will ultimately build your dream home. There are both personal and practical considerations to examine before making that all-important decision to buy which we have outlined below:
Your Personal Vision
If you could imagine the perfect piece of property for you and your family, consider what would it look like. Do you envision a large piece of land, complete with mature trees and lots of outdoor room for children and/or pets? Perhaps you are ready to downsize in order to reduce time spent on tasks like mowing lawns and maintaining shrubbery and plants. Do you like privacy or would you prefer to surround yourself with friendly neighbours? Do you want to be close to work, schools and shopping areas, or do you prefer a home where you can get away from it all? Knowing what is truly important to you when buying a piece of property will help you understand what features are a "must" and what features you can compromise on.
practical considerations
Finding the perfect piece of land does have practical aspects as well. You should know the dimensions of any property you are interested in and whether or not the size of home you want to build will fit comfortably with enough room left over for any local requirements for front, rear and side yardage. Is the property already connected to utilities or will you have to pay to add them? Is the property near areas that might have flooding or fire rating issues?
You should also observe the type of soil, whether it is rocky or steep, and whether it has adequate drainage for water runoff. It is also a good idea to get the soil tested in order to avoid any surprises as this can significantly impact the cost to build. Lastly, consider the layout of the home you would like to build. If you want your kitchen filled with morning sun, make sure the property's orientation will mesh with that design aspect. If you are a light sleeper, make sure the quiet section of the property will align with your bedrooms.
There are many factors to consider when buying a block of land. Taking the time to do your homework before signing on the dotted line will help prevent buyer's remorse in most cases and ensure you end up with a home that you will love for years to come.