Having been through the marketing of Austin lots and home building sites a few times recently, it struck me how much information must be dispersed to potential buyers. Most people have never built a home from scratch before and simply don't realize all the things that can add up to make a home site ready to build on, and how those things should be considered when comparing the prices of various lots and land.
In Austin, we have to think about slope and access quite often. If a lot barrels straight down from the street, you might have to build on concrete pillars or pour the mother load of foundations. This can add tens of thousands to building costs. That cheap lot that careens to the bottom of the canyon is not so cheap when you consider what it costs to get a home built there. That more expensive flat lot may be cheaper in the long run.
Also consider access. Is it an easy curb cut or is there a need to blast through a 10 foot stone embankment to get a driveway in? And what about retaining walls? Will the adjacent hillside end up in your living room unless you spend thousands to brace it with a wall? And then there are utilities. Is sewer and water available at the street? Or do you have to build a septic system or drill a well? Is the area environmentally restricted? Is it over an aquifer or in a critical watershed or near a creek?
Check with city zoning rules and environmental regulations before going forward. I find many Austin lot buyers think the regulations that exist within Austin are far more stringent than they really are. They hear water quality mentioned and they run fast in the other direction. Much of Austin is environmentally "sensitive" but can be built on anyway with reasonable restrictions. Impervious cover limits are another thing to watch for when comparing sites.
All these things should be considered when deciding whether to purchase Austin lots or land to build a new home. Consult a builder to determine how these unseen costs can add to the bottom line. When shopping for Austin lots, understand all the costs that go into construction at each individual site so you can make a true comparison when faced with many seemingly similar home sites. This will help you know what to pay and what you are really going to spend to build that dream home you have always wanted.
Thinking of building? Contact me for a list of Austin home sites for sale.
Jeff Harris, Broker 512-917-8142 direct
jeff@trueaustinhomes.com www.trueaustinhomes.com
Jeff Harris
Realtor/ Mortgage Broker
True Austin Properties
