Building the perfect home starts with choosing a lot to build on. This crucial first step determines the backdrop for countless memories yet to be made. It can be a complex decision to make, so we’ve condensed some major considerations into this quick guide.
Begin the journey here – your dream home is waiting.
4 Tips for Picking a Lot for Your House
1. Budget Considerations
Where you elect to build boils down to how much you’re able to spend. It’s important to establish a clear, realistic budget. The fun really begins once that’s figured out. You can hit the market and begin to narrow down all the available options, and a clear delineation of how much you can afford is the surest way to initiate a smooth process. It may be fun and tempting to spend hours browsing and “window shopping” land on the internet, but with an achievable goal in mind, serious progress can be made.
2. Consider the Location
Now that your budget is established, it’s time to make a list of all the desired features for your future property. How much space do you need? Are schools and grocery stores nearby? Do local zoning regulations permit the type of home you desire? Perhaps you prefer peace and privacy to the hustle and bustle of a lively neighborhood – whatever your preferences, quality of life comes down to location.
Luckily for Wisconsin residents, our state has some of the finest communities in the country. Many locales are growing; others continue to provide their rural charm. Do a bit of research to find out how the surrounding land will be developed in the future, and discover what can be done today. A good way to do this is by getting ahold of the community’s official zoning map and future development plan from the local clerk’s office.
**While you’re speaking with the clerk’s office, make sure to verify the land you’re interested in is currently zoned as residential. Otherwise, you may need to submit a rezone request with the local government.
3. Property Taxes
While this piece of advice relates back to the first tip, knowing how much you’re going to be paying in property taxes is important enough to stand on its own. A seemingly perfect plot might be concealing a heavy tax burden that surprises you once the money is due.
Municipal levy rates inevitably increase over time, but getting a grasp on the current state of affairs saves you from financial headaches in the years to come. It’s also important to note that higher property tax rates often correlate to superior levels of service for things like road maintenance, public education, and emergency response. As long as you’ve already done your due diligence in steps one through two, you should have a pretty good grasp on how your tax levy could be spent.
**The median property tax bill in Wisconsin is about $3,007, with the most expensive county being Dane County at $4,149, according to tax-rates.org.
4. Utilities & Infrastructure
Infrastructure like water, sewer pipes, and road access underpins a successful home buildout. If new or updated connections to infrastructure are required, the cost to construct a home could dramatically increase.
For instance, it may be necessary to extend a sewer line to reach a home surrounded by agricultural or conservation land. Additionally, if no serviceable access roads exist, arrangements to bring in equipment could become necessary. Keep in mind that it could take some work to hook up all the basic creature comforts for your new home.
