Problem lot types

   In your search for a suitable lot to purchase and build a home on, you’ll probably come across a few lots that, while they may have a few positive attributes, offer some challenges. These challenges can come in the form of an odd-shaped lot, an elevation or drainage issue, or a location problem. Actually, if you don’t come across any problem lots, you may not be looking hard enough in your search.

   It can be very easy to “put the blinders on” when searching for a home site. You’ll have a picture in your head of what you want your lot to look like, and you may automatically dismiss anything that does not perfectly fit that picture. This can not only lead to a much longer lot search, but you’ll miss some great deals along the way. When you come across a home site that presents challenges, don’t dismiss it right off, take a moment to consider some possible solutions. Why are there problem lots? Why not just make them all perfect? Problem lots come about in a couple of ways:

   When you come across a problem lot in a community or new subdivision it’s typically a result of the land plan, open space or buffer requirements, road and sidewalk requirements and local codes. When a developer has a large piece of land to develop, before they can worry about where the lots will be and what size they’ll be, he must accommodate several factors. Depending on where the roads from the new development meet existing roads, the open space requirements for that town or county, natural obstacles such as wetlands or a rock outcropping, and more factors can contribute to a developer defining a less than ideal lot.

   Another very common issue has to do with time. Over the years, a piece of land may be bought and sold, combined into a larger parcel, cut from a large parcel, split up, broken into pieces, and so on. This can result in some very irregular-shaped pieces of land. You’ll run into this much more when looking for a piece of land outside of a developed community or neighborhood.

   But, why even consider a problem lot? Why go through the hassle? Two reasons: The first is price. It’s like buying a car with a scratch in it. You’re going to pay less for a car with a big scratch across the hood than for one that’s perfect. If you’re the kind of person that see’s that as an opportunity, you may be in luck. If you can save more money on the purchase than it costs to fix the scratch, you’ve come out ahead. Many people will automatically pass by the scratched car and go for a perfect one. The second reason is location. With your mind set on a specific community or street, there may be only a small number of lots available for sale. You may be forced to deal with problem lots in order to get your desired location.