15 Mar Benefits of Building On Your Own Lot
For most of us in the Hill Country, the allure of building a dream home on a lot that we have selected is undeniable. We like to visualize that perfect home in a perfect place – the scenery, the drive to work, and the exclusivity of not having the same plans as your neighbor. People often start their new home journey with two major options: building on your own lot or an already set lot.
When you speak to those homeowners who have built on their own lots, they will tell you that although likened to starting on a blank canvas, selecting your favorite piece of land and then building on it a home that’s in harmony with your style is even more fulfilling.
Some places can be very beautiful, but it’s not just the beauty that’s attractive; building on your own lot has a number of advantages.
Endless customization possibilities
When you buy your own lot, the only limit you have to building your dream home is just your imagination – as long as the area is not zoned off or lacks the proper building conditions. Should you want to be surrounded by a forest of trees, so be it. Should you want to live off the grid, it’s all well and good. But before you start picking out wall colors, be sure to get the okay from a trusted home builder to ensure that the property you purchased is conducive for your custom home build.
The important question you need to ask yourself is, what do you want to see each day you wake up on that property? Other things you may need to consider include:
- How far are you willing to be from your place of work?
- How isolated do you want your home to be?
- Will there be any additional costs to ensure the ability to build on the property?
Choosing your own lot allows you to put your imagination to work and customize without many barriers.
No restrictions on your build
If you don’t build on your own lot, you as well as 63 million other Americans run the possibility of being a member of a master planned community, some of which are known to have strict rules, like:
- Minimum square footage
- Percentage of brick used on the home
- Exterior color limitations
The restrictive ways of planned communities are nothing compared to the freedom you would have when trying to build a dream home on your own lot.
Large open spaces
Choosing your own lot for your dream home is an opportunity to choose the size of the lot you want. Most of us feel proud with the interior of our homes, but just because you got hold of a large piece of land does not necessarily mean you cover it in a giant home. It can also be refreshing to step out of your house and spend some time outdoors.
With a bit of planning and landscaping, you can make your outdoor space both comfortable and as inviting as the interior.
Some ideas for great outdoor living include:
- Multi level outdoor spaces
- Fireplaces
- Outdoor kitchens
- Water falls
- Covered patios
- Outdoor entertainment
- Garden spaces
Potential for profit
Any kind of building will raise the value of undeveloped land. As soon as you start to build your house or just the access road to the place, you can be sure to get more out of your lot than you paid for. Nonetheless, some places are quite difficult to develop and you may have to go deep into your pockets. But the bottom line is that buying your own lot gives you the opportunity to build a solid investment.
More leeway for additional buildings
Building on your own lot gives you the freedom to not only avoid HOA restrictions but to also get a space big enough for the home you want to put up, as well as additions you may want in the future. So if you want to create a guest house for your in-laws, or a garage large enough for your car collecting hobby, you can always expand.
You should be able to do what you want on your land including extending your dream home to fit your life down the road. Therefore, choose that lot that you know will give you all the leeway you need.
Build on a Blank Canvas
The most important thing to remember is to be well prepared when beginning a custom build on your own lot, because there are a lot of variables to consider prior to buying. Before breaking ground, hire a trusted home builder early enough in the process to help you from start to finish.
Choosing to involve your builder early enough could save you a lot of time and resources. As happens with some people, your dream home vision may cloud your judgment and you may fail to see the problems with a particular lot right away. Apart from helping you determine the best lot that fits just what you want, a builder will often advise you on whether you should even build in a particular area to begin with.
There’s a lot that goes into choosing the right home builder for the job. However, look out for:
- Visible experience
- Transparency and honesty
- Value
- A home builder who can work within your budget
- A home builder who offers you variety
- Buying power
If you are interested in building on your lot and need a little help, CMW is here for you. We use our expertise to evaluate the lot you are considering so you can go into building your Hill Country dream home with confidence. So if you are ready to take the next step in owning your own place, contact us today!