There are many things to consider when choosing a site other than the nice view or the neighborhood. The following list is an excellent start to cover off selecting the right site for your custom home.

Custom Home Site Selection

• Not all building lots are equal, even if they are next to one another. Time spent making the right choice will eliminate a lot of potential headaches later on in the custom home building process.
• First you must decide whether you want to build in an existing subdivision or on a one of a kind lot. Lots in subdivisions will have covenants in place so make sure these work in your favour.
• Confirm that you will be allowed to build the custom home you want and that there is protection against the building of low priced homes that would affect the value of your home.
• Lot size should be such that the time and money required for maintenance is in keeping with your finances and interest level.
• The lot and surrounding area should complement your choice of design of your custom home.
• Look at the area surrounding the lot, taking into consideration the zoning, power lines, easements, traffic patterns and noise. The zoning will affect future use of any space not already developed.
• Power lines, sewers and easements may affect future use of your yard for pools or other enhancements. If you have small children traffic patterns will be a concern for safety as well as noise and will affect the enjoyment of your yard.
• A lot with a nice view boosts the resale value of a custom home but will also affect other aspects of the building and design process depending on the reason for the great view.
• Lots with steep slopes, hills or inclines may not allow for easy installation of things like decks, pools or play/ entertaining areas and driveways. Soil erosion is an issue when steeps grades are present. The home design will also be dictated by the lay of the land. A builder will be of great assistance is helping to choose a lot taking all of these things into consideration.
• The soil on your lot must be checked for contaminants, erosion and water table before beginning. The structure of the soil is also important in regards to sewer and water installations. It may look fine on the surface but if further investigation reveals rock or sandy conditions under the surface the difficulty and costs to build could be prohibitive.
• Rocky locations could require dynamite to clear the area for foundation. On the other hand sandy soil is difficult to excavate as well as being unable to support a large foundation.
• Take your hobbies and interests into consideration as well when choosing a site. Sun exposure and orientation will be important to and avid gardener or a family considering a pool or play area.
• Elevations and slopes will impact on the placement and type of access to the site as well as the house itself. If you plan to be in the custom home long term consider the possibility of any limitations on mobility in the future that might make access difficult.
• Throughout the site selection process you and your builder will have been aware of the basic design of your custom home in order to choose a lot that is going to best suit features of the home.

In summary, the strengths to look for in a lot are:

Slope to allow for a basement if desired

1. Rear and side yard privacy,
2. Sewer lines,
3. Low traffic area such as court or cul de sac,
4. Highly usable lot, square or rectangular shape,
5. Some hardwood and larger trees,
6. Firm soil base for solid foundation,
7. No large rocks that require blasting,
8. Not in a flood plain,
9. Comparable attractive homes and landscaping in surrounding area,
10. Level or gradual slope from the road,
11. Good drainage,
12. Stable, respected neighborhood,
13. Easy access to major roads and highways,
14. Close to good schools, parks, shops etc.
15. In an area of active growth,
16. Attractive view from site,
17. Fully usable lot with no ditches or irregular surfaces,
18. Seller will fully or partially finance,
19. Zoned for single family dwelling,s
20. Underground utilities,
21. Just outside city, may pay less tax.

Lots to avoid:

1. No sewer, require installation of septic system,
2. On or near major thoroughfare with speed limit over 35 mph,
3. Odd shape, too narrow or too shallow ,
4. No trees,
5. Large rocks,
6. Sandy soil may require special foundation work or limit size,
7. In flood plain, increases insurance and affects resale,
8. Near airport, rail lines, landfill, radio towers, power facility,
9. Slopes down from road,poor drainage, hard to mow,
10. Less than 2 percent slope, hard to drain,
11. Water pools in spots, may cause wet basement, require drainage system,
12. Located near a declining neighborhood,
13. Located outside city, may pay more tax.

Once you have selected the lot you want, obtain a legal description of the lot, prepared by a registered surveyor, showing all legal easements and baselines showing where your home may be built on the lot. There may be some restrictions on the placement of your home. Do not proceed without your own attorney reviewing all costs involved in the sale and closing of the deal.

Have a title search done to confirm clear and free title to the land. Your financial institution will mot proceed without proof of clear and free title.