Lots to Choose From: Selecting the Right Property Lot For Your New Home Build

Everyone knows that location is the most important aspect of real estate. Location! Location! Location! How close are the best schools? How far is the commute to work? Are quality shopping, restaurants, and entertainment nearby? And while these are certainly important, there is another location consideration that matters just as much, but maybe a bit harder to discern.  

When buying a home, especially in a new construction neighborhood, the piece of land–also known as a lot–you choose to build on is extremely important. Stanley Martin Homes communities come in all shapes and sizes, and the same goes for the lots within them.

Why choosing a lot is important

Once you decided to buy a home in new construction community, the first thing you are going to do is look at a community sitemap. Regardless of the quality and detail of the map, there is really on so much you can tell from it. You must see the empty lot in person. It might seem like a blank canvas, but there is a lot you can deduce from your future piece of property.

Tips on selecting the right lot

There are numerous considerations you must take into account when selecting the right lot to build your home on. Here are some major ones to consider:

• Location inside the neighborhood
  • Remember, depending on the construction phases, this will one day be a populated, bustling neighborhood. How visible and close will your neighbors be? How far is the lot from the entrance? If the lot backs up to a busy road outside of the community borders, noise and safety may be a concern. Corner lots, though typically desirable, also require some forethought. Intersections, even within the neighborhood, may present more vehicle and foot traffic than you really want.
• Orientation of house
  • What direction your house faces can present a surprising number of concerns as well. A southern exposure means more daily sunlight, which can raise energy bills and fade furniture and paint. And while views are important, you don’t want the sunrise to pierce through the master bedroom’s windows waking you up early on the weekends. Similarly, lots at a T-intersection or facing incoming street traffic might have to deal with bright headlights shining directly onto your home.
• Shape of the lot
  • Some lots, especially those in a cul-de-sac, can be irregularly shaped or too narrow. Also, houses are not always centered on the lot, which can limit yard size. Lots with a steep slope or drastic elevation changes can cause maintenance and drainage problems.
• Condition and features of the lot
  • Is the lot empty? If not, are there large rocks or trees? What about ditches, embankments, or outcroppings? What about the soil quality? Any of these may incur extra costs for development and landscaping.

Get help choosing your lot

In most cases, there will be both positives and negatives about any lot. You have to weigh them against one another to determine if the lot will work for your new home, even if there is some compromise. Choosing the best homesite is a much easier task when you do a little digging beforehand. A great way to accomplish this is by asking the right people for guidance–your realtor, the builder, and, if you are interested in an Stanley Martin Homes property, one of our helpful sales representatives. Contact us for more information on our various properties in Orlando and Tampa and let us help you find the perfect lot for your dream home.