What do you consider when choosing a home site?
Many friends and referrals from happy Dickens Built clients reach out when they’re considering a custom-built home and they ask, “where should I look for a home site?”
The answer, “it depends.”
There are many areas I’d recommend building on in Shelby and Fayette County, but before you fall in love with a location, I’d suggest you meet with your potential builder first.
In the case of Dickens Built - we’ve surveyed Germantown, Collierville, Piperton, and most nearby development areas that either has new communities or lots available for custom builds.
Where I’d steer you depends a lot on WHY you’re wanting to build a custom home -
Do you want intensely customized features for your unique needs, style, or hobbies?
Is this your “forever” home that you’ll stay in until retirement?
Do you want to upgrade to ultra-modern amenities and zero maintenance?
Do you need more/less space?
The current average number of years spent in a home is somewhere between 10 and 13. Custom-built homeownership tends to be longer with increased customization and higher price points. How long you plan to live in your home is a big consideration when you think about where you want to build and where you want to live.
What else should you consider when choosing a home site?
Lot Size - Or, in other words, “How much yard work do you want to do?” There are people out there that find mowing their expansive lawns relaxing and cathartic (nope, not THIS guy). Then, there are those that enjoy the Zero Lot Life with minimal grass, low maintenance landscaping, and a “no fuss, no muss” attitude. A typical lot for our area will average around 15,000 sq/ft with a few of the Fayette County areas offering home sites with a half-acre/plus. Yard work and proximity to neighbors should weigh into your Lot Size debate.
Neighborhood - Most custom-built homes are going to be “infill” - taking parcels that are leftover in larger areas to create boutique neighborhoods with unique homes, different lot sizes and formations, with varying home styles. When you’ve got different size and shaped lots - that gives you unique homes and that’s what creates unique (upscale) neighborhoods. The variety of designs are cohesive together but they are definitely NOT cookie-cutter floor plans as with Mega Builders. These types of neighborhoods retain value vs the cookie-cutter developments.
Elevation(s) - Considering the lot you choose, you’ll want to think about what your home will look like from each angle - front, left, right, and rear. We take careful consideration with any angle of your home that faces public areas. If you’re on a corner, you’ll have 2 fronts of your home. A stock design plan is NOT going to work for this type of (highly desirable) home site. We design your home to the lot to create a custom elevation that is attractive from any angle. ***This is a big differentiator of a “custom-built” home. I’ll say it again: we design your home to fit the lot so your home’s elevation has maximum curb appeal and functionality.
Amenities - Building in a new community or unfinished community? You’ll need a builder that understands how that community will be developed. Upscale communities have an entrance that welcomes visitors (not BAM! houses), a well-designed street-scape (architectural termination points - which requires special architectural review) benches up front, sidewalks, landscaping, 3 rail fencing, open space for your pets, lake (for fishing), et cetera. Amenities tell you a lot about how residents will spend their time. Which ones are important to you?
So, there’s a LOT to consider here (that’s a Dad joke!). If you’re thinking about a meticulously crafted custom built home in the Collierville or Piperton area - or want some advice about home sites in Shelby and Fayette County, let’s talk before you build.
-Chris