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7 Tips On What To Look For When Buying Land in Calgary

When it comes to building your dream home in Calgary, one of the first steps to consider is the land you’ll build upon and how it will work with your vision. Everything from how much sunshine you’d like, to the accessibility of utilities, should be carefully considered. So before you start looking, here are some things you need to know before buying land for your custom home.

The size of the lot

The size of the lot that you choose should work with the home you’d like to build and your lifestyle. For example, will the lot work with the size of home? Do you have enough time to maintain your lot? Of course, don’t forget to consider the cost of maintaining your lot and property taxes – the bigger the lot, the bigger the cost.

Direction of slope

There are many pros and cons to varying grades of land. For example, a flat piece of land is the easiest to build on, but it’s likely in higher demand and therefore more expensive. Sloped lots have their advantages and disadvantages too – many homeowners choose to work with the slope and build a walkout basement. A slope down towards the house may require additional backfill material around the foundation and reinforced retaining walls to prevent drainage issues, which can add to your bottom line. In both cases, work with your builder to carefully analyze the impact that the slope of your lot may have on your design.

Orientation of the lot

Let your imagination roam when choosing the orientation of your lot. Do you picture sun coming through your windows from sunrise to sunset? If so, consider a north facing lot, with a south backyard – the sun will move across your yard all day while minimizing the direct impact of the sun. Or are you a green thumb that loves to sit on your front porch with a cup of morning coffee and admire your sun-soaked plants? An east-facing lot may be for you. Or have you always imagined a west-facing view of the mountains?

Natural surroundings

One of the best aspects of buying your own lot is choosing your natural surroundings. And there are plenty of options – you can select a treed lot for privacy and shade, a lot surrounded by fields to give you a sense of expansive openness, or perhaps land that can support a well-manicured lawn close to the city.

Proximity to neighbours

As with buying an existing home, think about what your day-to-day life will be like in relation to your neighbours. If you love talking to neighbours while taking the dog for a walk, you’ll likely want land that isn’t too far spaced. Conversely, if your dream is privacy, consider how much distance you’ll need to ensure peace and quiet.

Access to resources

Any vacant lot you’re considering for building your custom home will need utility access. You’ll, of course, need electricity for power, a natural gas hookup for heat, and access to a water supply for showering, drinking and cooking. There’s also access to sewage systems and communication lines for phone, internet and cable. You always want to check what utilities are currently running to the property, and if there are any missing, your builder will help you budget for it.

Architectural Guidelines

When building in new communities, there are sometimes controlled guidelines of what you can do on your piece of land. This can affect the size of the home that you build, the exterior finishes on your home, and even how the lot is landscaped. These guidelines may not affect you since they may already work with your home building vision as it is. Either way, your builder will help you review to ensure that you know all potential restrictions before you buy a lot.