1. More Land or Neighborhood?

One of the first things you have to decide is whether or not you want to build in a developing neighborhood or in a more private area with more land. Both have their advantages. A new neighborhood offers community, easier access to needs, and often comes with other amenities like a pool and clubhouse, but they can also have homeowners associations (HOA), nosy neighbors, and more restrictions on space. Having land means privacy, space, less rules, no restrictions on home appearance, and seemingly endless possibilities, but most of the time it means you’re farther away from necessary amenities like grocery stores and public services.

2. Location.

Choosing what area you want to live in is a huge decision. Think about what amenities are most important to you. Restaurants, stores, entertainment, and emergency services all may be must haves for you. Spend some time in the area to make sure it’s somewhere you could see yourself for an extended period of time!

3. Growth of Area.

Pay close attention to up and coming areas, especially if you don’t plan on building your forever home. This will help make sure you are going to make a good profit when it comes time to sell your home. Be on the lookout for new neighborhoods in areas with a steady incline of popularity.

4. Land Readiness.

Not all land is ready to be built on. It can be build-ready, unimproved, or raw. Raw land is still in its natural state with no plans for development any time in the near future. While it isn’t impossible, it is not recommended to buy raw land to build on due to the steps it takes to make it build-ready. Unimproved land is land that has been cleared but lacks the utilities needed to build like gas, water, and electricity. Unimproved land can add a few months to your building timeline.  Build-ready lots are often in new neighborhood developments and are, as implied, ready to be built on

5. Flood Hazards.

Check for potential floods and other natural occurrences. If land is on or near floodplains it could be difficult to get loans and insurance as well as causing issues later on.

6. Legal Redflags.

Zoning, surveying, deed restrictions, and liens are all legal concerns you should be on the lookout for before purchasing land. While you can get around most, they could delay or stall your building process.

7. Loan Restrictions.

Lenders prefer build-ready land when approving loans for new construction. Make sure you know the restrictions on your loan prior to looking for land. Getting a loan for raw or unimproved land is significantly more difficult.

8. Environment.

Always pay attention to the environment around the land prior to purchase. Check the soil, radon levels, steep slopes, erosion, sun exposure, water, and other nuances like smelly livestock or noisy trails nearby.

Building a home is an exciting time in your life and shouldn’t bring too much added stress. Paying attention to the big things and working with a professional home builder will help alleviate some of that stress. We have many years of experience and can recommend amazing professionals to help walk you through the land buying process! Contact the number one home building professionals at Redleaf Homes today to get started building your dream home!

Thinking about building new in SE Wisconsin? Give us a call to discuss your options!