How to Choose a Site for Your Custom-Built Home

February 27, 2015

When it comes to choosing property on which to build your new home, there is certainly some truth to the real estate adage – location, location, location.

Certainly we all know that location impacts the value of the property, but location is an important factor for other reasons, too.

As a custom home builder in Ocala, we at Luetgert Development know all too well the importance of location when choosing a site for your new home. We’ve helped many clients find the perfect spot for their custom-built homes. And we can help you, too. In today’s blog post, we’re sharing five factors to consider when choosing property for your custom-built home.

Town or Country?

Before You Build, Decide if You Want to Live In the Country or the City

When choosing a site for your new home, you must decide whether you want to live closer to the city and all of its amenities, or further away to the quiet and natural surroundings available in more rural areas. In some cities, you may not have much choice because of the scarcity of available lots closer to the city. But it’s always smart to do some research on your own or get with a realtor to see if any spots are available for purchase.

School District

Unless you’re home-schooling your kids or sending them to private school, you’ll want to check to see what school district a property is in. You can check the schools zoned for this area and do some research. Here in Ocala, all public schools have their own website where you can learn more about school size, testing scores and state grades. Also ask others who live in the area.

Neighborhood Zoning

It may seem like the perfect spot for your dream home, but if there is mixed zoning in the area, that could spell problems. You don’t want to invest and build only to learn a new manufacturing facility is going up nearby. Or maybe the quiet spot out on some acreage seemed idyllic when you chose the site. But then you learned about the giant housing development going in next door. Do your research to discover the current zoning as well as any recent attempts to change the zoning.

Shopping and Restaurants

Before You Build, Consider the Distance to the Nearest Shopping and Food Locations

How far are the nearest grocery store, pharmacy, mall and restaurants from the property? You’ll want to know before you decide to build. Decide on how much convenience you’ll need and how many long trips to the grocery store you’re willing to make.

Property Value

A custom-built home is certainly an investment and so is the property on which you build it. You want to make sure that your home and property will increase in value, rather than decrease, especially if you plan to move on and sell sometime in the future. Check out the property values of other sites in the area. Look for real estate records to see how much nearby homes have sold for over the last few transactions. That will give you a gauge for how well the area is doing.

What do you think of these home property tips? Do you have others to share? Comment here or reach out to us on any of our social channels. And if you’re in the market for a custom-built home in the Ocala or Marion County area, contact us today. We’d love to start the process of building your dream home.

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