6 tips for choosing the best lot for your new home

If you are building a new home, the lot you choose will impact your budget, lifestyle, and the resale value of your home. Regardless of the type of new construction you are considering, the land beneath the house will make up a percentage of the total cost and value of the home.

Understanding your choices and what they mean in the long run will ensure your dream home is in the ideal spot.

Do you need help figuring out where to begin? Don’t worry! We have put together some quick tips to help you get started.

6 things to consider for choosing the right lot

1. Location, location, location!

The golden rule in real estate is location. School districts and office commutes are influential when considering a home location, but what about proximity to grocery stores, neighborhood or community entrances, community amenities, or walking trails? Neighborhood access points, intersections, and outdoor activity areas tend to be higher-traffic areas, so you should consider that when picking your lot.

2. What fits your lifestyle?

People’s preferences will determine what lot works best for their needs. For you, it might be in a cul-de-sac close to the neighborhood park so you can keep an eye on your kids, or maybe it is by the pond that backs up to walking trails. If an outdoor kitchen is essential or you hope to put in a backyard pool someday, ensure the lot can accommodate your plans and budget.

3. Is privacy important to you?

Lot size can influence how a neighborhood feels.

• Smaller lots tend to feel more neighborly and encourage kids to play together outside.
• Larger lots provide more privacy and space for wildlife.
• Corner lots expose more of your backyard since you have a street on the side of your house.

Another consideration is the surrounding area. Remember, what is woods or open space today might be a strip mall or new neighborhood tomorrow. Ask questions and research zoning laws if backing up to a natural setting is essential to you.

4. Does the lot work with your vision?

Understanding how a lot works with your desired home plan is critical. For example, if you want a walk-out basement, you will need a sloped lot. For a side-load garage, consider a corner lot.

• Are you considering a lot in a community? If so, additional restrictions based on plan size or selections made on adjoining properties may limit your options so the builder can maintain variance in the neighborhood. Builders often place premiums on lots they consider more desirable. If you are interested in one of those lots, be sure you understand the cost.
• Are you considering undeveloped land for your construction project? You will need to research the requirements and costs associated with site improvements and factor those into the budget for your new home.

5. Don’t forget to walk the lot and look up!

The best option is to visit the lot at various times to get a feel for road noise, rush hour or school traffic, and drainage. Ask your realtor for pictures and drone footage if an in-person visit is impossible. You can also look at maps to see if there are rail lines nearby or if you are on a flight path. Are there power lines or other utilities visible? When the other homes are complete, will you still have the view you wanted? If the homes behind you are at a higher elevation, you may experience drainage issues, need to build retaining walls, or feel like your backyard lacks privacy.

6. How will the sun hit your home?

The direction the home faces will determine the sun exposure. This detail is critical for making landscape decisions or if you are thinking about installing solar panels. People in snowy climates will prefer a home that faces south to help melt the snow from their driveway, and while large southern-facing windows will let in the sunlight, they are likely to increase air conditioning bills in the summer. Make sure to discuss with your builder how your home will sit on the lot to avoid surprises.

Choosing the right lot for your home can sound intimidating but rest assured you can do it successfully with these considerations.