Making the commitment to building your dream home can be both exciting and harrowing. Selecting the right building lot is the first step prior to construction, and can vastly affect the style, size and type of home you build. Finding a site that fulfills your personal building requirements is important.
When you begin the initial search, decide whether you want a rural or city building lot. The primary difference between a city and rural lot is the services provided. With a rural lot you need to consider pot-ability and flow rate, of your potential water source. Is there a dug or drilled well? What is the well depth and flow rate?
Flow rate can be an issue when it comes to financing your new home. Many financial institutions have a minimum flow rate requirement, before they will extend financing. It is important that the flow is determined prior to construction.
With a city lot you forgo the issues associated with well water. However there are additional fees for connection to water and sanitary services within the municipality. These do not include the additional monthly expense for service.
Next ensure that the lot you are considering meets the requirements for the building you are considering. What is the setback from the road? Are there any easements that are carried over to the lot that need to be considered? What is the maximum footprint your home can have in relation to the lot? All of these questions need to be approved by the municipality prior to construction. It would be wise to make inquiries prior to construction to determine that your home plan is appropriate for the lot you are considering.
If you cannot get a building permit then you do not have a building lot. There are a couple of permits that you will need to break ground on your new home. An entrance permit and a construction permit need to be acquired prior to construction. If there are restrictions that accompany the lot, then they need be verified and you will need to consider this when planning your project.
Finally look at the ascetics and functionality of the lot. Is the terrain level, or slopped? The grade will affect the type of home you can put on the property. Will the size of the lot accommodate the home you wish to build? Will the neighbouring properties be comparable, with your new home? If the features that you find important are present then you have likely found the right lot for yourself.
The reality of the situation is that builders often sell sub-divided lots, and they frequently take care of the permits and details that you would need to consider if you were building a home by yourself. Often the most difficult task is waiting for the home to be finished so you can move in.
