5 Things You Should Know About Your Property Before Building

Building a home can be very exciting. However, it can be stressful, and it is important to know as much as you can about a piece of property before building on it. Before you say “I do!” to a new home, consider these important things that you should know about your land before construction starts.

1 – Utilities
One of the most important things to think about when building a new home are the utilities. How you will get water for plumbing and drinking, dispose of your waste, and power your home is one of the biggest considerations before building (and before buying land). If you are buying a lot, make sure you know if the lot is already setup to handle:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Waste
• Internet/phone
• Water

If the property is not already equipped with hookups to the above, how will those things be incorporated? Will you need to construct a well? Bringing utilities, such as natural gas, to a property can be very expensive, especially for land in rural areas.

2 – Property Taxes
Many people forget about the fact that they will have to pay property taxes on their new home, and that these property taxes can vary significantly depending upon the value of the property being taxed and the location. Before you purchase a property and decide to build upon it, talk to a professional about what estimated property taxes will be and factor this into your budget.

3 – Flood Zones
Another thing to think about when building is whether or not your property is located in a floodplain, otherwise known as an area of low-lying ground that is at risk of flooding. If you are located in an area where the probability of flooding is high, you should consider how that will affect your building. You will definitely need to build a home that is in compliance with floodplain regulations.

4 – Costs of Building
There are a number of things that can affect the costs of building, ranging from the area that you’re building in to the size of the home you’re building to the materials that you use and more. Be sure to meet with a building professional to discuss your budget in more detail and create a plan that encompasses all that you want while still staying affordable. If you’re considering building with Simplicity, check out our Turn-Key Solution.

5 – Location, Location, Location
Of course, if you purchase a piece of land to build upon, you probably know a few things about its location! But more than just being in a nice area, you should know:

• The school system that your children will go to (if you have kids)
• Commute times from your place of employment
• Average property value and how that value has increased/decreased in recent years
• Population growth and expected population growth

These things can all affect the value of your property in the future, and may have an effect on the type of home you want to build or how much you want to spend during the building process.

Simplicity’s Site Development Experts are here to help.

At Simplicity, our award-winning home plans are perfect for individuals and families of all backgrounds and needs. We love working with customers to ensure their homesite is up to the challenge of building their home. To schedule your complimentary Site Visit and learn more about how we can help you construct the home of your dreams, contact us today!