Top 3 Questions To Ask When Seeking Vacant Land For Your Custom Home
Posted on: 11 July 2018
If you're looking to build a custom home from the ground up, then one of the first steps you'll need to take is that of finding a plot of land on which to build. Purchasing vacant land is generally the most cost-effective approach, though there are some important questions you'll want to ask of the seller before you decide to make a purchase.
Is There Any Access to City Utilities?
Depending on the location of the land and whether or not it was previously built on, there may or may not be existing utility lines that you'll be able to connect to once your home is built. In many cases, however, you will need to pay to have city utilities (such as water, sewage, gas, and electricity) routed and connected to the plot of land on your own dime. This can add a substantial amount to the cost of your building project, so it's something you'll want to plan for accordingly.
Has a Soil Test Already Been Completed?
Soil testing is another important aspect step that will need to be taken before you can actually begin building anything on a vacant plot of land. Specifically, this type of testing will help to determine the overall condition of the soil and make your builder aware of any potential construction hurdles that may present themselves ahead of time. Some sellers of vacant land will have soil testing done preemptively to expedite the process of selling, so don't hesitate to ask for a copy of the soil test if it's already been done.
What Type of Zoning is Provided?
There's no point in buying a plot of vacant land on which to build a custom home if it's not appropriately zoned. Specifically, you'll want to make sure that the land has been zoned for residential construction (not commercial or industrial). If it's been zoned for some other purpose, you may be able to have it re-zoned, but this will likely come at a significant cost to you. Not to mention, the steps involved with having land re-zoned can be time consuming and complex--so you'll want to decide whether or not it's worth it.
These are just a few of the most vital questions to ask a seller when you're thinking about buying a plot of vacant land. From there, you can make a confident purchase and begin breaking ground on your dream home.
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