Choosing a Home Site: Here’s What You Need to Know to Build a Custom Home
Location is everything when it comes to choosing a homesite to build your custom home. When choosing a lot, there are plenty of things to consider. First and foremost, the location. Then you need to know if the site is all public utilities or if it requires a well and septic system. You need to understand if your chosen lot will work for the custom home you want to build.
Understanding the right questions to ask about your lot will help you better understand your homesite and the required site development. On Your Lot Homes is here to help. Read on to learn how to choose the right site for your new custom home. You need to ask these questions to choose your potential home site.
Is Your Lot at the Right Location?
When it comes to choosing a location for your home, start with your preferences. Some things to consider are:
Commute to Work
Local amenities
Proximity to Schools, Shopping, Work, and Recreation
Proximity to friends and family
Traffic Patterns Around and Near the Lot
Zoning, Building, and Development Plans for the Area and Surrounding Lots
Once you have decided on a location, you need to narrow down your options to find the home site. If you are lucky, there may be several potential sites for your custom home. OYL Homes can assist you in doing the research to find the perfect lot,
Does Your Site Have a Land Record?
Is the land recorded? A custom home can be built on land that you own or land that you purchase. Before building a home, OYL Homes will research the land record. In Maryland, the documents that are recorded in land records include deeds, powers of attorney, mortgages, liens, and certain leases. A land record confirms who owns the land. It is a part of the confirmation process for your right to build a property on the land.
Is the Lot Developed?
How developed is it? Remember that OYL Homes must obtain building permits to build your home. We will examine your site to determine how much development is required. We are experts in asking the right questions to drive positive outcomes from third-party engineers and consultants.
There may be site improvement costs involved. These are the top ten items of a 50+ line item list included with our Your Lot Your Way program:
Survey
Grading Plan
Permit Fees
Clearing & Grading of lot
Excavation of Foundation
Import/Export of needed or extra soils
Utility Connection from the tap to the house (Utility Extensions are Extra Power)
Water & Sewer
Storm Water Management
Seed or Sod
Driveways & Landscaping
Just know that if your dream homesite has any issues or challenges, we will walk you through them. Our goal is to do it in the best time possible. We work in all counties of the Baltimore-Washington corridor. We are on top of all regulations and submission protocols.
Do You Need to Perc?
What is a perc test? A perc test, or a percolation test, is a soil test used to determine the absorption rate of soil for wastewater disposal. The test involves digging a hole in the ground and filling it with water to see how quickly it drains into the soil. The rate of absorption is measured in minutes per inch of water. This information is used to determine the suitability of the soil for a septic system or other wastewater disposal system. If the soil has a low absorption rate, it may not be able to handle the volume of wastewater generated by a property, which could lead to environmental problems and health risks. It is important for planning the custom home design.
Perc Test and a Septic System
Traditional septic systems only function properly if the soil in the tested area is sufficiently permeable. The soil must readily absorb the liquid, or effluent, that flows into it. Otherwise, the untreated liquid from the septic system may back up and pool on the ground surface. A perc does not guarantee that a septic system can be installed on a property. Check to see if engineering has been done to determine a septic location.
Perc Approved…How Many Bedrooms Are Allowed?
If a larger parcel, does it have a perc? What are the numbers of bedrooms allowed based on the perc? A custom home may only be built on a site that has passed a perc test. The parcel of land must “perc” or be “perc approved” to build a house on it.
What sized home/build box will the lot accommodate?
The perc test determines the number of bedrooms for a house that can be built on that land. It also determines what size septic tank is allowed. For example, if you want four bedrooms but the land only "percs" for three bedrooms, you will have to adjust your plan. There is some flexibility as you can turn it into a home office, playroom, or multi-use space.
Do You Have Access to Public Utilities?
Having a custom home outside of city limits will mean you may need access to utilities. If public utilities, where are they located? OYL Homes will help you determine the costs of connecting your home to utilities. These include water, sewer, electric service, gas, or propane.
Do You Need to Install a Well?
Is there a well installed? If not, will the seller install it? Do you need to? Have well locations been marked or noted on a site plan? These are all important questions to ask if you want to install a well on the property.
When studying a land transaction, our first step is to get the lot under contract with a 45-day study period. This allows On Your Lot Homes to fulfill the highest and best-use lot analysis. Think of it as a “home inspection” for land. When considering your custom home site, you must consider the site condition and municipality.
OYL Homes Helps You Choose the Right Home Site
Ready to choose your home site? OYL Homes can help you find the right site and location for your new home. We will help take a more comprehensive view of the lot once it is under contract with feasibility. Alternatively, if the above questions cannot be answered, we can help you do the research before signing a contract.
On Your Lot Homes is your local Columbia, Maryland home building firm. Get answers to your custom-built home site questions now. Contact us today at (833) 289-6954 or reach us via email atbuild@oylhomes.com.
