Searching for the right plot of land can be an ordeal. When you finally find one that you can afford and it is in the right area, the next thing you need to consider is what style of home you will build on the land. Sometimes awkward sections of land are available at a reduced price, but this can present some issues when it comes to building a home. Less than ideal plots of land are passed up by plenty of people, but if you are willing to take a closer look, you could get a great deal while building a unique home.

Some developers may avoid awkward sections because of the complexities that are associated with the building of a new home on this type of plot.  Other developers see it as a unique opportunity to create a unique home with a little bit of effort and inspiration. Here are some of the unique issues that an awkward section of land may present:

Access to the Property

When you are planning your home design, you need to find an entry point to the property that is easy to access. If your home will be in an urban area, you can utilize the entire lot and have a zero-parking option which will allow you more space to build a larger home. You may need to integrate the garage into the home to make the best use of the entire lot. Some of your new home can be built over the parking area or with the option of basement parking. You will want to ensure that it is easy to get into and out of your home with or without a vehicle.

Views from the Home

You will also want to consider the views around your home and the positioning of the home that is built on the lot. There could be different elevations on the property, and this means that you will need to have a home design that takes those different elevations into account. You will want the bedrooms in the quieter area of the plot so there is more privacy and less activity. Elevations and topography can help you to have a design where there is a separation between the kitchen and living areas without having to build walls to create different defined areas. Orientation is also important in that you want to take the most advantage of natural light and to be able to boost the light levels in any area of your home. Skylights can be installed in your home to allow light into the areas of your home that do not otherwise have access to natural light.

Services to the Property

It can be problematic to get electrical services and water to a home and sometimes it is so expensive that it can be a barrier to building a home. With new technologies being developed, it is possible to generate and store your own power and water right on the site of your home. It is possible to generate electricity with solar panels built onto the roof that are designed to absorb energy from the sun and then storing that energy for when it is needed. New battery technology has created smaller lithium batteries that carry a better charge. This energy can be used to supply power to heat pumps which are used for heating and cooling a home. There are many ways to harvest rainwater including collection from the roof and then storing in barrels or other containers around the home. The water can then be filtered to be potable or for other uses on site.

Build Up (Not Out)

Smaller lots or lots that are irregular or narrow are best utilized when you build up and not out. Since the lot may have less possible usable space, you will want to build up to get the squarest footage possible. Building out may not be possible if your lot is narrow because there is not enough space to do that, and you may not be able to navigate around the outside of your home if you use up all of the land space around it to construct a home. Building a home that has a higher elevation is also a great way to take advantage of any views around your location. Narrow properties look good with large windows and accent bars which help to provide more privacy. Your home can also be built on steel stilts so that you can utilize the space below for parking or storage. The possibilities are endless when it comes to planning and customizing a home to fit into an awkward lot.

What is Considered an Irregular Lot?

Any lot that is not a uniform shape or size or has an irregular number of sides (triangular, fan-shaped, battle-axe shape) is referred to as an irregular lot. There are also narrow lots that do not conform with standard lots sizes for land that is generally built on. Some of the best lots are irregular ones because they allow for home builders to come up with creative ideas for building a home on the lot that will meet the needs of the homeowner.

Pros and Cons of Buying/Building on Awkward Sections

Pros:

• Irregular blocks can also be developed. Developing and subdividing a large triangular lot with a wide rear area can produce multiple lots. This could allow for the lot owner to recoup much of the cost they have invested and even cover the cost of building a new home. The possibilities are truly endless.
• Unique architectural opportunities are possible with odd-shaped lots. Homes that are built on slopes and the corners can offer more space in a home, better access to natural light and better views than homes that are surrounded by homes, trees and land.
• If you decide to purchase an awkward section of land you can get a great discount on it which allow you to save money to spend on the construction of your new home.

Cons:

• You will need an experienced custom builder and an architect who specializes in dealing with awkward land sections. They can also help you to determine stormwater requirements and soil quality while completing the necessary paperwork to ensure your home is built to code and meets all building requirements.
• There are different challenges when it comes to certain floor plans and arranging the various components of your home. You want to address certain issues such as stormwater runoff and where your garage should be built.
• Could be difficult to sell if you change your mind and decide you do not want to build on the lot that you have purchased.

Hire a Custom Builder

You will need to hire a custom builder who will be able to work with you to design a custom home for your awkward section. You want a home that takes advantage of every geographic feature of the land and makes it work to your advantage. A custom builder is able to adjust and make adjustments to a plan so that you can have more flexibility when it comes to the development of your awkward section.

Incorporation of Outdoor Space

Your home is a place where you spend a lot of time. You want it to be functional so that you can cook, sleep, relax and get away from work and other daily responsibilities. The option of incorporating outdoor areas into your home is something that people have been doing for years. The addition of a patio or a functional backyard is a great way to create relaxing spaces where people can gather and enjoy each other’s company. Outdoor kitchens, pools, decks and grassy areas are all possible, even with an awkward shaped lot. You just need to do a little bit of planning to ensure that you use all of the space to the best of your ability and get the most use out of every last bit of area on your lot.

Irregular or awkward lots do have their share of challenges; however, they do have a lot of unique features that make them a great option if you are looking to purchase a lot and build a home that is customized to you. With the savings in the purchase of your lot, you may be able to incorporate many special additions to your home that will make it your dream home.

There are certain builders that are willing to work with you to customize a plan to fit into an awkward lot. If you do find a home plan that you love but it does not suit the lot, this can definitely be an option that you can look into. Irregular lots ensure that you can take advantage of the imagination of builders who have an open mind and are able to help you with your vision of a custom home. The main thing to remember is that if you can find an awkward lot in an area that you want to live in, the difficulties that the awkward lot may pose should not be a stumbling block for you when it comes to designing and building your dream home.

Article suggested by https://wardbuilders.com.au/