Building a Custom Home Series: Part 2
Choosing the right lot or land for your custom build
Choosing a lot is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when preparing to build your new home. There are many factors you need to take into account, some of which may not be readily obvious when you begin your search. Note: Check out our Overview blog here for all the steps in building your custom home.
Here are some of the main elements to consider when choosing your lot or land for your custom home:
1. Location
A great location is more than a “nice” area. Think about how the location fits with your daily routines. Does it require extra time to attend to the activities you take part in and the places you go on a regular basis? If you have school aged children, is their school nearby so they’ll easily be able to interact with friends outside of school? What about extra-curricular activities? If you like to head out biking or running often, are there well designed trail systems that are easy to get to from your potential new home?
Location of other amenities such as shopping, gyms, theatres, and even gas stations are all important to consider. Extra time commuting will quickly become a huge inconvenience! Bottom line, the location needs to be a good fit for your lifestyle as well as the home you want to build.
2. Environmental Factors
Explore the area and research what was there before the land was slated for residential development.
Is the ground cover mainly rocks, clay, soil, or former swamp land? This will impact the drainage, and possibly, the feasibility of building your home here. Vancouver Island is one big rock, and rock is expensive to excavate. Sometimes, you won’t know what’s under the soil before you purchase the lot. Unexpected rock blasting could add $5,000 - $25,000 to your project, or more.
The slope of the land is important. If the area is slightly elevated, you’ll want to ensure you build at the top to ensure runoff goes away from the house, not towards it.
Living near water appeals to many, but if it’s an area prone to flooding, this could lead to a lot of headaches in the future.
If the lot is located in a windier area without a lot of natural windbreaks, you’ll need to think about incorporating man made barriers into your landscaping so you can enjoy time in your yard without worrying about being blown away.
Sun exposure on the lot will impact natural lighting within the home, temperature, and if you’re considering incorporating them, solar power systems.
Flowers, gardens, and greenery that you hope to have growing in your yard will be impacted by the composition of the land you build on. It could mean extra work in terms of landscaping, soil preparation and ongoing maintenance, or restrict what you can plant in the area.
3. Zoning, Covenants & other restrictions
All land developments will have zoning requirements outlining how the land can be developed. This includes things like setbacks, required parking, encroachments, and landscaping requirements. You’ll want to check into any square footage minimum and maximums that need to be met for the lot you’re considering.
Many developments have additional covenants and restrictions extending beyond a municipality's base requirements that need to be adhered to when building. This can include things like exterior paint colour, architectural style of the home, and additional structures on the property.
Think ahead to changes you may want to make to your property in the future. If you plan to have a greenhouse in your backyard one day, but the restrictive covenants don’t allow for it, it may not be the best location to build your home. It would be wise to consult with your municipality’s bylaw department to find out what the restrictions for the area you’re considering are.
4. Future Development
If you’re planning to build in a brand new subdivision, you’ll want to research the long term development plans for the area.
The lots being sold now may be sized at a half acre, fitting with your ideal lifestyle. But, are there plans in the future to include smaller lots, multi family housing or even commercial development? Choosing a lot with the assumption you’ll have lots of space and relative peace and quiet, only to learn five years later that a brand new shopping mall is going up nearby, would be very disappointing.
If you are the first or second home to be built in an area, chances are construction will be ongoing for the next several years. If you’re out of your home most of the day at work or elsewhere, the noise may not concern you as you won’t be around when most of the work is happening. But, if you teach yoga in your sunroom or have a newborn baby, the sounds of construction workers and machinery may quickly become an unwelcome intrusion.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a lot, only what’s right for you. We can assist you during your research process to evaluate all the potential pros and cons that will impact you before making a decision. An experienced REALTOR® is an invaluable resource when searching for the right lot. They’ll have a wealth of knowledge and will be able to guide and advise you to make the best decision.
We work closely with a select few trusted REALTORS®, and would be happy to connect you. We feel that experience and professional knowledge of the area and a strong background in construction builds will be key in your search to find the lot or land that’s right for you.
Read more about the process of building a custom home and steps involved here.