What to Know Before You Buy Land

The first thing you should know before you buy land if you’re going to build a home is to turn to Glenn Layton Homes for your custom home builder in Jacksonville Beach. With years of experience building up and down the Northeast Florida coast, they have become the top custom builder of coastal homes, working with you every step of the way to create your dream home. Still, before you make the big land purchase, here are some tips to keep in mind to make sure you get land you can use and feel good about for years to come.

First off, if you’re just buying land, investigate it carefully to make sure you can actually build on the land. It’s not only a matter of building on the land but what you can build on the land. Zoning and deed restrictions and other requirements can turn a seemingly perfect piece of land into a regulatory nightmare, so be sure you know exactly what you’re purchasing. There may be limits to how many structures you can build, the style, height, size, and use, among other things. A realtor should be able to help you determine if the land is right for your needs.

In addition to checking for deed restrictions, you’re going to need to check the land’s ability to deal with a septic tank if you’re not on the city’s municipal sewer system. If your land can’t pass a perc test that checks on how absorbable the soil is to the liquid that comes from the septic tank, you’ll never be able to build on it and definitely won’t get a mortgage.

Similarly, if you’re not on the city’s sewer system, you’re going to need to dig a well to get water. Depending on your property and its location to the coast, environmental areas, etc., you could be looking at a cost of $10,000 or more for the well drilling and filtration. There’s also the possible need for a lake and/or hydrants for rural firefighters to have water access.

If possible, pay cash for the land itself. This is particularly important if you’re not planning on building right away, as lenders may view you as a risk. However, if you are planning on building, look into a construction to permanent loan, though be aware that with a lack of collateral you may need excellent credit. Remember, you’re essentially dealing with two loans: one for construction and one for the mortgage of the final home. Essentially, a construction to permanent loan has the bank release funds as construction stages are completed, and then the final amount is turned into a traditional mortgage. This is often a good idea, because you have more control over locking in interest rates and you only have to deal with closing costs once.

Ultimately, if you own a lot or are still looking for the perfect homesite, contact Glenn Layton Homes, the top custom home builder in Jacksonville Beach. Their expertise, years of experience, and numerous happy customers will make it clear that they’re the only choice when it comes to building your custom coastal dream home.

Categorized in: What to Know Before You Buy Land

This post was written by Glenn Layton Homes