The lot you purchase and build on affects your budget, timeline, and other aspects of construction. Choose the wrong lot in the wrong location, and you might be unable to bring some aspects of your house plans to life, especially if any zoning restrictions limit you.
You can start by picking a neighborhood you like that’s also in a good school district if you have children. The lot’s shape and size limit the house’s size as well as outdoor amenities. Terrain is another important factor to consider. If the lot is sloped, we must level it, which takes time and resources. You can factor the cost of purchasing the lot into your target budget for a custom build, which we will respect.
Get started planning for a new build in South Carolina by going to the Blythe Custom Homes website today.
How to Choose the Right Lot to Build Your Custom Home in South Carolina
Choosing the right lot for a custom build in South Carolina is such a layered decision. Having children still in school, wanting to stay within a certain budget, being close to work/ammenities, and hoping to avoid frustrating zoning restrictions all factor into your decision.
Pick a Neighborhood
For many new home buyers, picking the right neighborhood is a great place to start. The suburbs of Columbia, South Carolina, have plenty of space for new builds, though some are more densely populated than others.
Some of our clients want to be close to neighbors to easily socialize, while others want to be nestled into South Carolina’s lush wooded areas or by its calming lakes to create a tranquil oasis. Tell us what you want in a neighborhood, and we can direct you to some you may have never heard of before.
Consider the Lot’s Shape and Size
A lot’s overall shape and size dictate what you can build on it. We can get creative with uniquely oriented lots, taking advantage of every square foot you own. If you’re looking for a lot and have already planned much of your build with us, we can give our recommendations on whether a specific lot will comfortably fit your dream home.
Think About Terrain
You should also think about the general terrain of the lot you purchase and build on. Sloped ground, loose soil, and other terrain-specific quirks could affect your new home build in many ways. When we perform a free site assessment, we can analyze the area and explain how many of your house plans are feasible, and what adjustments may be necessary to accommodate the specific terrain.
Learn Local Zoning Laws
Local zoning laws also dictate where you purchase a lot and start construction on a new custom home in South Carolina. Zoning restrictions might stop you from building a house of a certain square footage or height, or even from including some architectural features in your house. Furthermore, zoning laws might stop you from adding additional buildings to the property, such as sheds or detached garages.
Set Your Budget
Choose a lot to build based on your desired budget for the project. You can fund the land purchase and the construction with a construction-to-permanent loan. This loan turns into a traditional, fixed-rate mortgage when construction ends, and reduces closing costs.
When setting your budget, we can identify how much you’re comfortable spending on the lot, which would then affect how much you are comfortable spending on building materials, finishes, appliances, and other construction needs.
Choose Between Developed vs. Undeveloped Land
Empty lots on undeveloped land give home buyers a blank canvas when designing custom builds. However, it also means that a lot of work must be done to develop the land and make it livable. That generally starts with adding utility access for water, sewage, electricity, and gas. Developing land may eat into your desired timeline for the build, which is something to keep in mind when choosing the right lot for you and your family.
What Happens After You Choose the Right Lot for a Custom Build?
After you choose and purchase the lot for your new custom build, we can begin the construction process. We’re available to you throughout construction on your custom home, and can answer any questions you have at any stage.
Confirm House Plans
Before construction can happen, however, you must approve the house plans. Take your time reviewing house plans and thinking about your family’s wants and needs. We can tweak plans as much as necessary until they reach your standards and expectations. You don’t have to settle, and we encourage you to speak up about any changes you’d like to see.
Make Land Improvements
We then need to start making land improvements. As mentioned, this can take time, and we can estimate the duration of land improvements during our initial site assessment. While making land improvements, we will also get all necessary permits and building approvals, so your move-in date isn’t delayed.
Commence Construction
Once we finish with land improvements, we can start on construction. Building timelines vary, depending on the house size and level of customization. As construction goes on, we’ll welcome you to the site on walkthroughs. You can request additional walkthroughs as necessary, though we will schedule visits after each big construction phase. Feel free to ask any questions you have on walkthroughs, and to bring up any changes you want to make to the current plans.
Throughout the entire building process, we stay in touch with clients via the BuilderTrend app. You can also message your contractor through the app, or use it to refresh your memory on walkthrough discussions and decisions.
Let Us Plan and Build Your South Carolina Home
Plan your new custom build in South Carolina by going to the Blythe Custom Homes website today.
