There are a number of raw land lots for sale in Lake Monticello. You would be surprised. Most visitors to the Lake think that the community is built out, and while there is not an ongoing “sale office” set up like you might find in a Spring Creek or Village Oaks community, there are a considerable number of Lake Monticello lots that are being sold by the owners.
Why are they selling? Is there something wrong with the Lots?
This is one of the questions that I get asked the most about lots that are listed for sale in Lake Monticello. Obviously there are a number of reasons, but there seems to be a pattern in the answers I get from the land owners…
- Plans Changed
“Our plans changed.” We bought the lot thinking that we would build when (___________) occurred. You can fill in the blank with, when the kids graduated, when we retired, when we moved down to Charlottesville, when the market was going gang busters. Another one that we hear regarding change in plans is, “We bought the lot thinking that we would one day end up closer to our kids, and before we could build, the kids ended up moving.” (Maybe the kids were trying to tell you something???)
- They moved to another area.
A couple of our land owners that we have worked with were originally from the Northeast and bought the lot looking for a warmer climate to eventually move to. Instead, when we talk to them now, they skipped Virginia completely and moved straight to Florida or South Carolina.
– Active Listings of Lake Monticello Lots / Land for Sale Today
The reason that I share this is that there is usually nothing wrong with the lots or land itself, it is just that plans changed and the owners are ready to move on. I worked in an area onetime where there was a section of town that always had 15 to 20 lots listed for sale – at absolutely low prices compared to the rest of the area and some of the lots had been listed for sale for well over 3-4 years. Without fail, about once a week, we would get a call from an excited land buyer, that had just stumbled upon these listings and they couldn’t believe their luck – this much land for so little??? And there was a catch. There was something wrong with every one of the lots. None of them would perc and support a septic system, not even an alternative system. There was something WRONG with the lots. This is not the case with the lots in Lake Monticello. While they each might have their own quirk and features, with the availability of water and sewer, all of these lots are build-able in some form or fashion.
What should I look for when deciding on a lot?
There are some areas and features of a lot that effect the price and desirableness of a lot versus another. These include:
Is it a Waterfront Lot?
Being on the water or having the ability to have access to a dock or the water is a premium feature in Lake Monticello. Some of the lots that are advertised as waterfront are exactly that, waterfront. The entire width of the back lot line is touching part of the lake. These lots are few and far between but a number of them do come on the market from time to time. Remember that there will not only be a premium expense for the lot itself, but there may be some additional cost with any sort of barrier walls that you put in along with the potential added expense of a dock and the ongoing maintenance of the dock and the associated boat.
Is it a Golf Course Lot?
There is really nothing like waking up in the morning, having a cup of coffee on the deck and watching the dewsweepers – the early morning golfers – out on the course trying to squeeze in every ounce of sunlight that they can to chase around a little white ball. Living on the golf course is a plus for a number of reasons. You do not have a neighbor right in your back yard or side yard, you have a golf hole. The area of the golf course is maintained an landscaped by someone other than yourself. The golf course is a natural draw to wild life that you might otherwise not see. Countless Hawks, Falcons, Woodpeckers and other varieties of birds have taken up residence amongst the trees of the Lake Monticello Golf Course.
– Information on the Lake Monticello Golf Course
One thing that you need to consider when looking at a golf course lot… Where will the lot be located in relationship to where the golfers are playing their shots. I remember visiting a golf course in Maryland one time, and there was a house located off of either the 3rd or 4th hole that was right in line of the tee shot. The siding of the house actually looked like the dimples on a golf ball as the house had been hit so many times. Someone that knew nothing about the game of golf had bought that lot.
Is it located near a beach?
“Why the **** would I live in a lake community if I couldn’t be on the water?” I write it because I have heard it… But for some, they do not want to pay the premium of being directly on the water, but still want to be within walking distance of one of the 5 beaches that are located along the shores of Lake Monticello. I think some of the best lots that are still available fall exactly into this criteria and are within blocks of either the beaches of the other amenities of the lake.
Is it located on a busy road?
It may be difficult to tell from just looking at a listing or a Google map. Some of the roads are used as “short cuts” to one of the gates or they may be on one of the direct routes that allow access into and out of a section of Lake Monticello. Sometimes the only way to tell is to sit infront of the lot you are considering during the morning or evening – “rush hour” time frame to see the level of traffic.
Is it located near a gate?
Although there are a number of gates scattered throughout Lake Monticello, being in a location where you have to drive 5 minutes just to get to a gate when you then have to commute to Charlottesville or Richmond can get a little frustrating.
How much site work/grading will need to be done to prepare the lot to be built on?
I am going to let you in on a little “code word” language that you might see in a listing of a lot for sale. “Perfect for a walkout basement” This might mean that the lot / land is located on a slope and that the lot will not have to be graded in order to accommodate a house that you enter on the main level, but can only exit the back of the property via the lower level. Lake Monticello is fed by a number of gentle ravines and run off areas and some of the lots are situated in these areas. I know of one suck lot that is a great location, near a gate and there are houses that have been built on both sides of this particular lot, so there is nothing “wrong” with the lot, it will only work with certain floor plans that take advantage of the topography of the lot and it will require some planning for the location of the driveway and garage. Many land buyers have a particular house plan in mind, and then go looking for the lot, and not every lot will work with every floor plan. This is true in the Lake and it is true of all lots in the Greater Charlottesville Area.
– New Homes to be built in Lake Monticello – Proposed
What are the surrounding properties like? Are they compatible with what you want to build?
You want to build a 3 level, 3,000+ contemporary and the houses that are already built on either side of the lot are a 2 bedroom A frame and a one level ranch. Your home will always be different and while you may enjoy the home while you live there, just beware when it comes time to sell.
Does the lot allow for the placement of a home so that I don’t have someone looking into my backyard or living room?
You will never be able to tell this from just a listing alone. And even looking at an overhead satellite map may not help you until you know exactly what you are trying to build and where it can be placed on the lot. Then you will be able to consider the surroundings, but it is something to keep in mind. Especially if the other properties are already placed a certain way on the other lots.
As you can see, there is alot to consider when looking for a lot for sale in Lake Monticello or any other location. I have the experience to assist you and would love to help you find the specific lot that you are looking for and to help you with working with some of the builders in the area.
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