If you’re thinking of building a new home, you’re probably thinking of buying land. Here are four key issues to consider when looking at the land:

Topography: Steep, flat, timbered, restricted access or battle lot; Consider building logistics, access, and local building requirements.

Location: City, suburban, rural. The choice of location will largely depend on your commitments, such as the need for employment or schools for your children, and your personal preferences.

Size: Standard Suburban Lot, Rural Acreage. Consider the purchase price, land requirements, and municipal fees.

Type of soil: The subsoil is the main problem. Some types of soil require extensive landscaping or retaining walls before you can lay the foundation for your home.

Now that you have an idea about the land, what about your needs? It’s all too easy to fall in love with a totally unsuitable lot because it has a beautiful tree, only to discover that you won’t be able to fit your home on the lot and still comply with local laws. Ask yourself a series of questions to find out what your requirements are:

Q. What do I want to use the land for?

A. You may want to build a detached home, or you may want to subdivide and sell the excess land to finance the construction of your home. This will not be possible with some lots that you look at.

Q. Is the location important?

A. You may be restricted to living in a certain part of the country or want to start a new life in a remote area. It is possible that you are determined to have privacy and any lot with neighboring houses nearby will not meet your needs.

Q. Is there a minimum size building that I am willing to consider?

A. Many lots have existing contour planning permission that can be difficult to change if you want to build a larger home. It is worth thinking carefully about the layout of the house before buying the lot.

Q. Will there be enough space to store materials during construction?

A. Construction materials, such as roof trusses and precast elements, can be bulky. Make sure there is enough floor area to store them otherwise it could make the build more complex. Similarly, consider access for contractors, vehicles, and deliveries.

Q. How much will the service connection cost?

A. Some lots already have on-site water, gas, electric, and sewer services; others may need to be connected remotely and this can add considerable cost. Rural lots may even require you to drill for water and utility companies may even require you to maintain their infrastructure on their land.

A developer or real estate agent can help you determine how well the property you’ve found fits your desired home plan. This will incorporate the needs of the size of the house, the size of the backyard and front yard, ponds and other elements that you will add to your home. Talk to your developer to determine if the lot ultimately fits your home’s desires.

Advice: Request a signed statement disclosing buried items, such as oil or gas storage tanks. Their removal and cleanup can be expensive.