To begin looking for a place to have your home built, it’s important to first understand the viewpoint of the people you need to deal with to choose the land.
Most new home sales people are only allowed to sell land in the community they work in; most importantly the land that is owned by the builder they represent. This is extremely important to the builder because of the interest they are likely paying every month that land is in their portfolio.
When I made the decision to work with Shaw Homes, one of the largest factors that attracted me is the ability to sit in one neighborhood and sell a new home in Tulsa, and also be able to sell a new home in Owasso, Bixby, Jenks, Claremore, Skiatook, and more. This removes any drive from me to “sell” a customer a homesite in my neighborhood. That’s important to you because my perspective isn’t weighted towards the builder. Instead, I’m able to work with anyone who wants a new home, even if they want to build on their own land, and focus on what they want. After all, it's your home.
Now for the factors to keep your focus on while looking for the right homesite. In the building industry, we call this “chunking”. Break out the journal that you started for your New Home project and keep notes about the following questions and your answers to them:
- Where are you comfortable living? (city names)
- Is there a required school or school district? (If you desire a certain school, find out the exact addresses that can attend that school by visiting the local school boards website or office)
- Relative location to work?
- Highway access needed?
- How important is it to have shopping close by? (Wal-mart, movie theater, restaurants, etc…)
- Nearest hospital?
- Do you want land, or a home in a neighborhood? Private land is another topic by itself, so for the sake or brevity, I will only cover selecting land in a community for now.
- Are there amenities you require a community to have (clubhouse, pool, splash pad, park, etc…)
- Do you want a premium homesite such as one on a golf course, pond, or greenbelt?
- Would you rather be at the front of a community or deeper in?
- Cul-de-sac homesite, corner (possible side-entry garage), or normal street?
- Which direction do you want your home to face? The important factor is where do you spend the most time in the home, and which direction do you want that room facing when the sun rises or sets. For most people, they spend more time in the Great Room watching television, and therefore desire that room to be facing east to avoid the setting sun.
When I sit with a buyer and discuss what type of homesite they want, I begin the chunking process until we narrow it down to roughly 3 homesites. The next step is to go and walk the land. It’s important to visit each homesite and walk to the back property line. Look around, and then walk to the front of the site. If you are going to build your home there, you want to know what you will see every day. What homes are next to yours? What is the view? Is there unplatted land behind you that could be a strip mall, hospital, or 3 story tall apartments in the future?
Unplatted means that there is currently no plan on file with the city for what land is going to be used for. Always be cautious when buying along the edge of a community with empty land bordering it. If a salesperson tells you that it’s a greenbelt homesite, get proof by requesting a copy of the community plat with the land behind your home showing as being owned by the developer and part of the community, with no homesites or future homesites indicated. The plat map must be labeled "Final Plat". I would even go so far as to request a written statement that no home or business will ever be built behind your home. It’s only right, because any greenbelt homesite is always priced with a premium charge.
Enough for now on how to choose a homesite. If you have any questions about this process, you can always reach me by e-mail at Shaw.newhomes@yahoo.com, or by phone at (918)409-5195.
My next blog will be about choosing a home style, kitchen types, and storage needs. I will cover single or second story, 2 or 3 car garages, and more.
