How to Pick Out the Perfect Lot for Your Design Build
As people visualize their dream home, they often overlook one crucial element — the perfect lot. Choosing the right lot for your custom home is just as important as choosing the perfect design elements and the best design/build firm.
A well-selected lot can set the foundation for the future of your home, providing the ideal location for a lifetime of happy memories. To ensure you set your custom home up for success for generations to come, here are four factors to consider when picking out the perfect lot for your new home construction.
Consider Location and Layout
The first and most crucial factor when choosing a lot is its location and layout. The lot’s location will determine the surrounding neighborhood, school district, and access to amenities like shopping centers, restaurants, and parks. These factors play a significant role in your family’s quality of life as well as the future value of your home, so they should be weighed heavily before making the final decision.
It’s also important to pay attention to the layout and topography of the lot. Is it on a hillside? Is there a body of water nearby? Where will mature trees and other natural elements be in relation to the home? How your home fits onto the lot and what other elements surround it will determine the amount of natural light and privacy your home will receive. It can also affect your property — positively or negatively — over time. A nearby body of water can serve as a fun place to swim or a potential flooding hazard. Similarly, a sloped terrain can provide panoramic views, but it will also drive up the cost of construction.
Research Your Future HOA
Another critical aspect of choosing a lot for your custom home is the future homeowners association (HOA). An HOA is a governing body that sets rules and regulations for a specific neighborhood or community and all of the houses within it. These rules can include architectural standards, landscape requirements, and community amenities.
Understanding the HOA’s rules and fees is crucial, as it can affect the design and cost of your home. If you hone in on a lot you love, check with the current HOA to get a clear understanding of what is expected of new homeowners in the community. When budgeting for your custom home design, make sure you factor in any potential monthly HOA fees as well as the mortgage costs and other monthly payments.
Pay Attention to Natural Light
When picking out the perfect lot for your custom home, daylight and lighting are crucial factors to consider. Natural light not only creates a warm and inviting atmosphere but also has numerous benefits for your health and well-being.
When touring potential lots during the custom home design process, pay attention to the path of the sun throughout the day and which cardinal directions the most prominent rooms in the house will face. How will the natural light enter the home? Is there enough natural light in the morning or evening? Which rooms receive the best sunlight? These factors can not only influence your choice of lot but can also help inform your design decisions later in the process. Hint: We love South-facing backyards…
Factor In Long-Term Life Plans
As you search for the perfect lot, it’s important to consider whether that lot will be perfect for you at different phases of your life. A custom home design is a significant investment, so make sure the lot will suit your long-term life plans and can fit your family for decades to come.
Although you may love a certain lot now, will it fit additional family members? Will you want a home office or hobby room in the future? Is there enough outdoor space for pets or even an addition? Visualize your life goals and long-term plans, and take all of these factors into consideration when selecting a lot to ensure it will meet your needs now and in the future.
At C&C Partners, we understand that the custom home design process can be overwhelming. That’s why we strive to make it a breeze, combining your wants and needs with industry-leading techniques and expertise to ultimately create a custom dream home that you can enjoy for decades to come. We work closely alongside you from concept to completion, guaranteeing a seamless process that results in a one-of-a-kind design/build experience.
Since 1987, we’ve committed to an unwavering standard of excellence and top-tier client satisfaction that has helped us stand above the rest and remain one of Southern California’s premier luxury home builders. If you want to experience the C&C Partners difference for yourself, contact us online or give us a call at 310-322-0803 today.