Choosing a lot for your home is an important part of the building process. The location at which you choose to construct your custom home will determine how you can use your land, what you can build, and the lifestyle that you’ll lead. While many first-time buyers are eager to get started on the design of their custom home, it’s best to begin by finding the right lot. This will give you a better idea of what’s possible and how best to design your home for the land. Understanding how to select the right property can be difficult. Especially, if it’s your first time building! As your home builder in Kelowna, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to compile a guide to choosing the perfect lot in Kelowna.
Follow along below to learn more!
How to Find Your Slice of Paradise in Kelowna?
- Neighbourhood & Amenities
The neighbourhood that you build within can make a big impact on your future life. When evaluating a neighborhood it’s important to focus on the local amenities. For instance, being near a great school can significantly influence the value of your property. Not to mention, having a school nearby is incredibly convenient for those with school-aged children.
Additionally, choosing an area that is known for its safety and lack of crime is essential. You might also find it of benefit to look at the average household income of those in the area. This can tell you a lot about the market value of properties in a particular neighbourhood. Finally, you should factor in how far your desired lot is from your workplace and other locations you visit regularly.
- Land Quality
It’s important to understand that not all land is suitable for construction. Just because the property looks like it’s in good shape, does not necessarily mean that it is. There are many factors that go into determining whether or not a piece of land can be built upon. For example, soil testing. Soil testing is a way for builders to understand whether the ground is strong enough to support the foundation for your proposed home. If it’s not, it may require additional foundational support.
- Property Zoning
Local zoning is not a detail to skip over when choosing a plot of land. Especially if you have plans of operating a business of some kind out of your home. Zoning laws are in place to ensure that certain plots of land are used/developed correctly. Usually, the zone of your lot is detailed within the listing. However, if it’s not, you can find out what the zone is in Kelowna by looking at the interactive map.
Your Home Builder in Kelowna Recommends Thinking About These Factors!
- Easements and Restrictions
Easements provide others with the right to access your property for specific purposes. Oftentimes, a lot will have utility easements that allow local utilities to use your property as an access point. Another common example of an easement is shared driveways. Understanding what easements (if any) are on your property is essential. This will help you determine where you can build and who has legal access to your land.
Similar to zoning, some areas may have restrictions in place that outline what your home is to look like and how you can use your property. This is usually only the case when you are building in a specific subdivision. But, it’s a good idea to check with your real estate agent or builder to confirm.
- Utilities
If your home is a remote or undeveloped area, it’s worth checking out whether you can get utilities to your property. For some properties, it can take some additional labour to set up gas, electricity, water, and plumbing. You’ll want to factor the cost to set up utilities into your budget, as it can be expensive. This is expressly true for those in rural locations.
- Slope of the Lot
Finally, before you buy a plot of land, make sure you consider how the shape and slope will impact what you can build. The slope of the lot will determine how water drains off your property. If water collects on the land, this will be a problem for footings and foundations, driveways, septic tanks, and landscaping. Additionally, having an influx of standing water on your property, creates breeding grounds for insects. While the slope of your land can usually be remedied with excavation, it’s best to choose a property with good natural drainage.
Contact a Home Builder Kelowna Today
Choosing a great lot is the foundation for creating your dream custom home. From the location to the slope, there is so much to consider when deciding on a piece of land. If you’d like additional help evaluating a potential lot, contact a home builder Kelowna today. We’d be happy to help you get started on building your dream house. Be sure to check out our social media page for current and past projects we’ve worked on. We look forward to working with you in the near future!
