Let us discuss 13 things to consider when buying land
Many people buy land and then construct a house.
The following are the things to consider when buying land: –
- Shapes. Land comes in many different shapes. Rectangular is the most popular shape. But other shapes are also possible.
Triangular, irregular shapes. So make up your mind about what kind of shapes suits your requirements before buying land. - Slopes.
Generally, a .5m sloping is considered fine. But more slope means more digging and filling which results in site cost increase (Generally). - Covenants and easements.
Both easements and covenants can be affirmative or negative. However, easements are typically affirmative, giving the holder the right to use the servient land, whereas covenants are typically negative, limiting what the burdened party can do on her own land. - Electrical substation on land.
Sometimes there is an electrical substation near the particular land.
This type of land is generally cheaper than the adjoining land.
Some people consider it has health hazard to be near electrical or telephone substations or towers. So consider it before buying land. - Frontage of the land.
Generally, 12.5 is considered standard frontage to build.
Some lots are narrow frontage, which means that you may save it on land, but you will have to build a double storey on it due to the narrowness of the land.
For example, for a single storey, say your front has a double garage and formal lounge.
So the double garage is 5.5m, and the formal lounge is 5m. You have to leave 1m on each side.
Therefore, the total will be 5.5+5+1+1 = 12.5.
If the lot is narrow then you can’t build a single storey on it or you have to compromise with having a single garage on it.
You can do the rest of the maths yourself before buying land. - Zero lot
You must leave a mandatory 1m on each side from your neighbour.
But some lots, leaving 0m are allowed from one or both sides, so these are called zero lots. - Subdivision potentials.
There are council guidelines as to what frontage and sqm are required to build duplexes or free-standing houses or another type of development potential. - Sometimes the garage is not allowed in the front as the land faces the main road, so the garage must be from the back.
- Irregular shapes are sometimes cheaper than rectangular ones.
- Sometimes the shape is such that you cannot get a project builder to build on it and you will have got a custom builder on it. So check the shape before buying land.
- Sometimes the developer guide is that you must build a double storey and sometimes it is single.
- Sometimes you are building single, but your both neighbours are building doubles.
- Facing.
East-facing/north-facing/orientations must be considered for sunlight and other purposes.
Disclaimer: – Articles in this blog are just the personal opinions of the author or authors.
It may or may not be correct. Pls do your own due diligence and pls seek professional advice according to your own personal circumstances. The author or authors cannot be held responsible/liable for any content in this blog.
