Buying A Building Lot, 5 Things To Consider

Buying A Building Lot, 5 Things To Consider

Low side of the road- it's one of those issues that has multiple consequences. 

1.  Drainage issues, as water still runs down hill. 

2.  More fill, as finish floor level will have to be set higher to compensate for poor drainage.

3.  Lower resale value, as a home on the low side of the road never presents itself as well as one positioned on a hill overlooking the street. In the worst cases, the roof is about all you see from the road.

Soil Testing- most Realtors will advise buyers to obtain a soil test from a reputable soil engineering company. That's great advice but only if you know exactly where your new home will be placed as well as the pool. One part of the property can have wonderful soil and another organic muck, improperly compacted fill or a number of other issues.  Most soil borings test to a depth of 12'. 

Orientation to the sun- the best orientation is when the rear of the house faces south. The interior of your home gets plenty of indirect daylight without the heat of the direct sunlight. The exception is during the winter, when the sun is lower in the sky and the warmth of the sun is welcome. This is especially true in Central Florida where most homes have a pool and all of the rooms are positioned for a view through the windows to the pool. The worst orientation is Orlando is when the rear faces west. In the summer the sun sets late in the day, making the Lanai almost uninhabitable, until the sun sets.

Fill Dirt- homeowners won't know how much fill is required until the finished floor elevation is obtained. Sometimes what's provided by the development is the finished pad elevation, which could be 16" lower than the FF elevation. Other times, the FF elevation may not even be available and must be calculated.

Subdivision Covenants and Restrictions- many times they don't contain extraordinary surprises, other times, they contain items that could cost the homeowner $10,000's. Better check them out and avoid nasty surprises.

Finally, there are many other issues to consider before purchasing a building lot. It's best to have an experienced Builder guide you through the minefield. Better yet, call an award winning Custom Home Builder that writes an informative Blog like Regal Classic Homes. Lol.

It's like what they say in Texas, ya dance with the one that brung ya!