Choosing the perfect lot to build your custom home is a decision that requires careful consideration. Where you decide to build can significantly impact your lifestyle, the functionality of your home, and even your home’s resale value.
At Ridgeline, our team is here to help you navigate choosing a custom home lot and evaluate the land with a complimentary site evaluation to make your home-building process a breeze.
Where to Build Your Custom Home
Before you choose a lot, consider how it aligns with your personal preferences and lifestyle needs. Make your decision based on these factors:
Community
Do you want a bustling neighborhood with amenities and easy access to urban areas, or a secluded, nature-centric environment that offers tranquility? Consider your daily routine and how the community supports your interests, such as proximity to schools, parks, or recreational facilities.
Planned Community vs. Independent
Building in a planned community offers greater control over your surroundings and what gets built nearby, protecting your investment and ensuring a cohesive neighborhood aesthetic. However, this may come with certain architectural requirements, such as specific materials (e.g., copper roofing and gutters) and limitations on square footage and landscaping designs. You’ll also need to account for potential membership dues and other community fees.
Building on an independent lot offers more freedom in terms of design and landscaping, with fewer restrictions and architectural review requirements. This can be advantageous if you want to create a truly personalized home, but it may also involve dealing with zoning regulations and setbacks.
View
The orientation and view from your home can greatly impact your living experience. Think about what you’d like to see from your windows each day, whether it’s a lake, mountains, or rolling fields. Both exterior and interior lots can offer beautiful, sweeping views of natural landscapes – but you’ll want to consider the perspective when selecting your option.
Utility Preferences
Your choice of fuel, such as natural gas or propane, may depend on your location and available infrastructure. In urban areas, natural gas lines are more common, while rural or remote locations often use propane. Knowing what’s available in your area can help you plan for your home’s energy needs.
Building Restrictions
Waterfront and peninsula lots often come with specific setbacks to preserve natural habitats and maintain water quality. Typically, there’s a 50-foot setback from the water line, which can limit buildable land but also help protect the environment. Luckily, many communities may offer variances to work within these restrictions, providing some flexibility in your building plans.
Considerations for Your Custom Home Lot
When selecting a lot for your custom home, there are several important factors you’ll want to evaluate with your builder. As your partner, our team at Ridgeline will consider these to ensure the land is suitable for building. These factors include:
Access, Grading, Erosion & Drainage
Your builder will assess how easy it is to access the lot, as well as how the land naturally slopes and drains. These factors can impact the foundation and stability of your home.
Views, Topography & Foundation Needs
If you are looking for picturesque views, the topography of the lot and the foundation requirements for your home will be critical factors. Steeper terrain might require multi-level foundation walls or basements to adapt your home to the landscape while ensuring stability and maximizing your views. Keeping these factors in mind can help you make the most of your custom lot.
Privacy and Future Development
Buying multiple adjacent lots can preserve your privacy and views. For instance, purchasing a lot next to your own property can prevent neighbors from building too closely.
Complimentary Site Evaluations in South Carolina
At Ridgeline Construction Group, we recognize that every lot has something unique to it, and we understand the importance of choosing the perfect site for your dream home. That’s why we offer complimentary site evaluations to help you make an informed decision.
Evaluating Potential Lots
During the evaluation, our experienced team will assess the constructability of the lot and guide the design process to maximize your lot and views. Our goal is to help you feel confident in your decision and ensure your custom home-building journey is smooth and successful.
Existing Lot Assessments
Whether you are considering purchasing a lot or already own one, we work with you to understand the topography, assess potential obstacles, and provide recommendations for the most efficient layout. We’ll also provide insight into any additional costs that may arise during the building process.
Tree and Topo Survey
The Tree & Topo Survey is the most valuable tool we can use to evaluate a site. Additionally, it’s the first piece of information needed to start a Custom Home design to ensure efficiency and maximize the natural features of the site.
This detailed drawing includes the layout of trees and topographical lines to allow us to assess the steepness and accessibility of your site.
If you have secured this document, our team will provide an analysis of what your site can support. If you haven’t already taken this step, we are happy to help you with the process to obtain it.
Build Your Dream Custom Home With Ridgeline
Choosing the right custom home lot is a critical decision that will impact your home and lifestyle for years to come. By carefully evaluating your lot and working with experienced professionals, you can create a home that perfectly suits your needs.
Ready to start your custom home-building journey? Contact us today and let us help you bring your dream home to life.
