Choosing a lot for your new dream home is as important as your home itself.  Your lot will determine your home’s size and shape as well as impact your overall budget, so it makes sense to find your lot and then choose a house plan that will conform to it.

The local real estate advertisements will have listings of lots for sale, but the easiest and quickest way to find a lot in your preferred location is to hire a realtor.  When you have a list of potential lots, walk the lot and the neighborhood.  Consider the price of the lot and the proximity to work, places of worship, and schools. 

Most urban lots will have utilities in place.  For suburban and rural lots, inquire about utilities and the cost of having them installed, including permits.  Ask about easements and restrictions on architectural style or sizes of homes.

Get soil and flood plain reports on the land.  The sellers will most likely already have this information.  Listen to the noise level of the lot.  Being close to a major road or under an airport’s flight pattern can make it unpleasant to enjoy your yard or patio.

Finally, make an offer on your lot using comparable values and your budget as a guide. 

More homeowners are bucking the trend of having a manicured lawn in favor of more natural and ecologically friendly landscaping methods – naturescaping and xeriscaping.  When building a home, look at the footprint of your houseplan and talk to your builder about incorporating one or both of these methods.  Both methods focus on using drought-resistant plants that require less water, fertilizer, and care.

Naturescaping involves using native plants that are allowed to go to seed and self-sow.  As they are native, they will not require extensive watering after the first year, and fertilization should be unnecessary. 

The xeriscaping method uses drought-resistant plants that are not necessarily native to a region.  This can include succulents, ornamental grasses, and rock gardens. 

New homes of any architectural style can be complemented by xeriscaping or naturescaping.  A rock garden and succulents can pair with a modern or contemporary home, while native wildflowers add a touch of color to a craftsman-style house plan.

Homeowners who can’t resist the look of a lush, green lawn can still lessen the impact by choosing a drought-resistant grass or using pockets of naturescaping or xeriscaping in extended flower beds or rock garden features.

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Best wishes in the building of your new house!