When you are dreaming of building your new custom home, you probably have a vision in your mind of exactly what it will look like. From the gourmet kitchen to the water views, many future homeowners have every detail worked out.
But what do you do when you have decided on Longboat Key or Sarasota, but can’t find an acceptable lot to build on? When the right buildable lot is not for sale, do you have to give up your dream of the perfect location?
One of the best things you can do is to begin to look for the location well ahead of your construction time frame. You can generally purchase and hold a piece of land (permitted time frames vary by neighborhood) so looking early on can allow you to get the right lot , even if you aren’t ready to build just yet.
There are several things you can try if you can’t find the right lot on the market.
Begin by driving those areas that you are interested in, not only to see what is available, but to take note of the neighborhood attributes which have attracted you to that particular location. Then there are several ways to proceed.
- Speak to the builder: A new home builder familiar with the area will likely know of the opportunities which may be on the horizon, sales of land which recently took place, or new developments which are in the works. Because the builder will have contacts in the industry which you do not, they may have some insider information for you. The builder is also a great resource to explain your ideal neighborhood, as they may have other ideas as to areas you are not aware of which are similar and could be a perfect match for your tastes. Ask them for any lots they may have purchased to build spec homes on – they may have an inventory.
- Contact Owners of Vacant Lots: Most people seeking a vacant lot stop once they have seen everything on the market. But many owners of vacant land hold onto the property for many years without building or selling. When driving through your areas of interest, take note of the location of any vacant buildable lots, even if they are not for sale. You can look up the ownership of the property on the tax records and contact the owner directly to see if there is any desire to sell.
- Check your Desired Neighborhood for Home Sales: Because of its popularity and growth, the Sarasota area (including Longboat Key) has a lack of buildable lots available at any given time – especially in popular downtown or beach neighborhoods. However, your perfect neighborhood may have several homes for sale which happen to be sitting on a lot which would be great for your home. Many area neighborhoods are gradually seeing older homes torn down and replaced with new construction homes. While this adds a few major steps to the process, the perfect buildable lot may be worth it. Many people have purchased the older home, collected rent from tenants until they are ready to build, and then moved forward with construction at a later date.
- Change Your Plans a Bit: Imagine finding an amazing lot with the perfect view, but it already has a home on it. Depending on your budget, you may be able to purchase the current home and plan a complete renovation. If you can completely redesign the home to your tastes, you may find that the solution is the best for your family.
Remember to have a bit of patience and flexibility, and you should be able to find the very best option for your new dream home. Call Lindahl Construction today, as we’d love to help. You’ll find the entire process easier with a local partner well-versed in the real estate and new home construction market.