Statistics from the US Census Bureau and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development show that approximately 822000 new construction homes were sold in 2020. The median sales price of new homes sold during the period was $336,900. First-time home buyers are an increasing share of the new housing market at 43%, pushing millennials to become the largest percentage of homeowners at 45%.
With new subdivisions cropping up in Houston, TX, you may need to carefully explore all your options before choosing a lot to build on. The right acreage homesite for sale is as important as the builder and your preferred floorplan when it comes to resale in the future.
Here are several tips for choosing the best lot in new subdivisions.
1. Visit the Register of Deeds and Planning Department
The County Clerk in the county where the new subdivision falls in files all the property deeds. Visiting the local Register of Deeds website can help you get a recorded plat that indicates the subdivision’s dimensions, the size of the lots, easements, covenants, and common areas. Verify the lot sections that available and print them out.
A quick search under the local planning department website can help you check the development application for utilities. You can source more information about sewer lines, utilities, landscaping plans, and road networks. You may also need to check the flood maps to avoid choosing an acreage homesite on a flood plain.
2. Research the New Subdivision’s Development Plan
Far often than not, new subdivisions only contain a model home that the local home builders completed. The sales office for the developer will often have a gorgeous layout of the neighborhood, showing the various homesites, common areas, and amenities. Request for a list of the available lots and the home site premiums. Consult the local home builder on the floorplans that may fit on the lot. Find out if there’s a chance if the house will be flipped.
3. Factor in the Topography
You may need to figure out the slope of the lot on the new subdivisions. The topography can affect the land preparation measures as well as the value of the acreage homesite. It may also have a huge bearing on the drainage properties. A downward sloping lot may be a basement lot that can attract a higher cost of construction. Builders often fill lots with compact dirt while grading a site. If your home is one a lot that was filled, it may have more settlement in the future.
4. Take A Drive Through the Neighborhood
The best way to analyze the new subdivisions is by taking a drive around the lot. The lots may have sewer stubs poking out of the ground. The sewer stubs can give you an idea of the size and shape of the lots available. Determine the view that you wish to have. Check out the common areas. Do you wish to have a lot with a perimeter buffer behind for more privacy?
Choosing the right lot on new subdivisions can be a challenging yet exciting experience. Remember to consult your real estate agent, local home builder, and sales representative before making a decision. Are you looking for acreage homesites for sale near Houston? Reach out to Stone Meadow Homes.