Decisions, Decisions, Decisions: Where To Build Your Home

After you and your family have decided that building a home is the best decision for you, the next step is to find where to build your home and the perfect piece of land for your dream home.

Here are some things to consider when deciding where to start construction on your new home:

• Location, Location, Location
  You have probably heard that the three most important things to look for in a home and that is location, location, and location! This also goes for deciding where to build a home. Look at location in terms of proximity and social scale. Is the neighborhood you are considering near the schools you want, your relatives and friends, work, recreation, and shopping? Some of these things might matter to you more than others.
   
• Neighborhood Characteristics
  When looking in the neighborhood you desire, look at more than just the plot of land that is in front of you. Look at your surroundings also, such as how close your are to highways, busy roadways or anything that could make a lot of outside noise. Also take into consideration the condition of the neighborhood. Do the people around you keep up with their yards? What is the age of the general houses in the neighborhood? These are things that could affect the value of the plot of land you are buying. Building a home in a high traffic area might not be suitable if you have children whether they are young or a little bit older.
   
• School Districts
  Schools are a lot like neighborhoods. Some are much more prestigious than others and can say a lot about the neighborhood. Homes that reside in districts with high academics and a great athletic program might have a higher resale value.
   
• Type Of Neighborhood
  Is this neighborhood mostly starter homes with new families or is this a “move up” neighborhood where the kids are older and the homes are larger? If this is a neighborhood is filled with empty nesters and small homes and you have children, then they might not have anyone to play with.
   
• Neighborhood Amenities
  Check and see if the neighborhood that you are looking at has availability to municipally supplied water, availability of gas and sewer and access to high speed internet and cable. This could play a factor into where you build your home.
   
• Lot Characteristics
  Of course price is a huge factor of what lot you are going to purchase, but you should also look at shape and lot size to see if it can adequately hold the house that you are designing with room on all 4 sides of your home for a yard and area for your kids. The view might also be a factor for you if you are building a home by an ocean, lake or mountains.
   
• Restrictions
  Many subdivisions have restrictions when it comes to zoning. If you are near the edge of the subdivision or by a high traffic area then you might have much more strict zoning laws. You won’t see this one as often, but some places might have pet ordinances and it wouldn’t hurt to check to see if your area has any.

It wouldn’t hurt to walk the whole neighborhood that you are looking to build in and talk to a few of the residents to get their opinion on the neighborhood, but don’t let one bad review steer you away.

Starting the foundation for your new home and for your family is a big decision, let us help! Contact us for all of your home building needs and our experts would love to help you out!