How To Buy Land Step 4 - Buildability (Custom Homes on Your Lot)

Raleigh Custom Homes

Buyers Guide - Buying a Lot or Land in the Raleigh/Triangle Area

Five Easy Steps To Buying a Lot:  Step 4, Buildability

Buying a lot or land for your new custom home can involve some big decisions!  By following these five steps, you'll find the right location, something that fits your lifestyle and your budget, with the beautiful surrounds so common in the Raleigh area.

How Much Should You Spend on Your Lot or Land?

All lots and land under consideration will be some combination of location, size, amenities, cost, and buildability.  As you begin to narrow down your options, you may decide that some factors are more important than others. 

How Do I Know My Land Can Be Built On?

In order to build a custom home on your lot or land, there are some basic needs that must be met. 

There must be a place for sewage and grey water to go, whether city sewer lines, county sewer lines, or a septic system.  There must be fresh water available, whether from city water, a community well, or a private well.  Building permits must be obtained, and the neighborhood guidelines must be adhered to. 

Buildability - Is Sewer Available?

In the Raleigh area, a large percentage of homes make use of a septic tank rather than city or county sewer lines. 

If city or county sewer is available, great.  If the MLS notes say "sewer nearby", you'll want to find out what it will take to extend the sewer lines to the planned location of your new custom home.

If a septic tank is required, you'll want to know that soils tests have been completed, and that a standard conventional or pump system can be supported.  If soils are unsuitable for a typical septic system, your lot be unbuildable, or may require a very expensive and time consuming unconventional system. 

Building On Your Lot - Is Water Available?

Again, wells are very common in the Raleigh area.  If a well and septic are required, you'll want to be sure the lot is large enough and has suitable soil to support both. 

If city or county water is "nearby", extra fees (and city or county approval) may be required to extend the water lines to your property, plus any tap fees required to "tap" into the lines. 

If city or county water is available and you're looking to build a custom home in a neighborhood, ask if the developer has already paid the tap fees, or if you'll be responsible. 

Building Permits

Your builder will be able to explain the building permit process to you.  Different processes may be required to build in a historical district or other special area, including a full approval of plans, materials, and site work.  Building permits typically take anywhere from 3-6 weeks to obtain, though a historical district may take 2-3 months or more for full approval. 

Impervious Surface

Some areas, like the City of Raleigh, may require a maximum amount of "impervious surface".  This is surface that water cannot sink into the soil, which creates runoff instead, such as driveways, roofs, foundations, porches, sidewalks, etc. 

If your lot has a maximum of 3000 sq ft of impervious surface allowed, and your driveway (12'x30' = 360') takes up 360 feet of that, your foundation, porches, and walkways cannot add to more than 2640 feet in total.  Your builder will work with a surveyor to calculate the square footage, and recommend floor plans that do not exceed the maximum impervious surface.

Neighborhood Covenants and Architectural Guidelines

Check your neighborhood covenants and architectural guidelines before purchasing your lot. 

Some neighborhoods require that every home be brick.  Others do not allow homes smaller than 3000 sq ft.  Your builder can walk you through the guidelines and explain what is required.  These requirements can affect your total construction cost, and your floorplan may need to be approved before you begin building.

If this sounds overwhelming - don't worry!  At Stanton Homes, we work to provide you with all the information you need to make a good decision, including free lot inspections, research on your lot, and much more. 

Just contact us or call 919-278-8070, and we'll answer any questions you have about how to buy land and make sure you can build the custom home you're looking for on your lot. 

Browse Raleigh Area Lots and Land for Sale

Five Easy Steps to Finding the Right Lot or Land for Your New Raleigh Home

Don't worry, at Stanton Homes we help throughout the entire process of finding a lot or land and building your new custom home, and are here to answer any questions you may have.

Buying a Lot or Land Step 1: What's Your Budget?

Buying a Lot or Land Step 2: What Amenites Should You Consider?

Buying a Lot or Land Lot Step 3: Determine Your Lot Size

Buying a Lot or Land Step 4:  Is Your Lot Buildable?  How Do You Know?

Buying a Lot or Land Step 5:  What is the Total Construction Cost for Your Lot? (Avoiding Hidden Costs)