Your Guide to Buying Land to Build a House in Houston

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Your Guide to Buying Land to Build a House in Houston

If you want to live in an original house in Houston, then you will need to learn how to buy land and build a home.

Buying land to build a new home requires several steps. If you follow the advice below, you should find that buying land to build on is a pretty straightforward process.

DETERMINE YOUR BUDGET BEFORE BUYING LAND TO BUILD A HOUSE

Before you start learning how to buy land to build a house, you need to determine your budget. Your budget should include the cost of the land as well as the new home that you plan to build there.

If you’re like most people, you’ll need to borrow money to build your new home. Get quotes from several lenders in Houston so you can get a low interest rate and reasonable terms.

A lot of people make the mistake of accepting too much money from lenders. It’s better to settle on an amount that you can afford to repay but also gives you enough funding for buying land and building a home.

CONDUCT YOUR SEARCH

Once you’ve set your budget, you can start searching for a plot of land that you love. There are plenty of ways to find land and vacant lots. Popular options include:

  • Search online classified ads for vacant lots in Houston.
  • Google search, “buying land to build a house in Houston.”
  • Talk to the builder you plan to use for buying land to build a home.
  • Hire a real estate agent who has experience in land sales.
  • Look for property sale signs in the area you want to live in.
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LEARN ABOUT RESTRICTIONS BEFORE BUYING LAND TO BUILD A HOME

Houston has some robust rules about where you can build homes. Many of the rules focus on Houston floodplain building restrictions. In the past, builders couldn’t construct houses on properties within the 100-year floodplain. New regulations have extended the area to 500-year floodplains.

Houston also has a “No New Fill” regulation that prevents you from adding net paving, grading, earthwork, and buildings to properties near floodplains.

Note that you can make changes to the property, but you cannot add to the net fill. Your construction company should know how to help you evaluate properties and regulations while you’re buying land to build a house.

PUT TOGETHER HOME PLANS AFTER BUYING LAND TO BUILD A HOME

Now that you know what to look for when buying land to build on, consider using Plans & Permits for your Houston custom home plans. Our home design experts can use their experience to create a building plan that matches the needs of your family and the property. We can also consider the costs of buying land and building a house to stay within your budget.

Depending on your preferences, the land, and the City of Houston residential building code, Plans & Permits can design a plan that’s perfect for you. Many people find that choosing a home plan is even easier than learning how to buy land and build a house in Houston.

It never hurts to have an experienced contractor’s advice when you’re buying land. To learn more about how Plans & Permits can assist you, contact us today!

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