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What to Know Before You Buy A Lot to Build On

Making the decision to buy land and build a custom home is an exciting experience that comes with important choices. The first choice is who to trust to bring your vision to life. Your contractor will be responsible for bringing that vision to life, and to find the right one, asking the right questions is essential.

How Do I Build A Custom Home on My Lot?

Choosing the Right Foundation

There aren’t many things more satisfying than having the freedom to build and design a brand-new home on your very own plot of land. But where to begin?You’re already off to a great start by doing the homework that landed you here. The easiest and most convenient next step is to contact us, via phone, email, or schedule a preliminary discussion. Once you’ve made contact, we will suggest scheduling your complimentary “Let’s Talk” session so we can learn more about you and your priorities and vision for your home. Each lot will have design parameters due to the slope and orientation to viewsand/or other homes.Within thoseparameterswestart to incorporateyour priorities. Before we start this process, we will analyze the lot to let you know if what you want is feasible.

Will your team come out to evaluate my future home site to assure it is right for my new home?

Definitely! This is the best way to ensure that your new home gets situated on your land the perfect way. We can also address any concerns or questions you might have about your lot before building of your home takes place to make it as easy and care-free as possible. For example, even if the house location is set, you can still decidewhereto locate each room to get the best views, privacy, sunlight, and breezes. Is it important to have a drone aerial view? Gathering preliminary surveillance before starting the project is helpful. Getting an aerial view allowsus to seetheland fromadifferent angle and assists us in gathering additional information to determine elevations, provide additional perspectives of potential designs, gain insight into how the water drains from the property and more. Will you handle my sitework for me? Unlike some builders that expect you to prepare your site and have it “build ready” before they start – we do all of that for you. Since every lot is different, we will estimate the costs involved to get your site ready for your new home –but rest assured – all the work will be handled by us.

Can you help us find land if we don’t already own any?

Yes! Don’t worry if you don’t have land yet. Many of our customers did not own land before they came to us. We have valuable relationships with the real estate community in each of our building areas who will be happy to help you find the perfect lot for your home.

We also have land for sale in our Eagle Landing subdivision located on Kentucky Lake. We have been developing this property for several years, and we will soon be adding a marina. You can find available lots and MC Homes-built Villas with dock access by clicking here.

What type of land do you build on?

Lakefront Living

The best part of being a custom homebuilder is that we build your home on the location of your choice. The location is up to you: in a rural setting, on a family farm, on a lake, in a development— wherever you choose. Whether you currently own a site, are in the process of narrowing down your options or are just getting started, we can help you!

What if utilities are not available to the property?

We handle securing the utilities to your land, such as water, natural gas and electricity, and coordinate.

How do I know if the land is buildable?

Before you buy land, pay a visit to the county planning & zoning office to ask about any zoning laws that might not allow you to build there. You’ll also need to research what kinds of buildings can be constructed, where the home can be built on the property and if the property has any setbacks, limiting the amount of space you can build on. It is also important to understand what the soil conditions are and where the water table is located. We can help you understand variables by doing a soil boring test.

landbetweenthelakes.us

If you have land, are the boundaries of the property clearly and accurately marked?

This is one of the most important questions to ask. If there is any uncertainty about the boundaries of your property, ask if a survey of the land has been done recently. A recent survey will be able to show you clear and up to date boundaries on your property. If it has not been done, we can help you complete this.

MC Homes Team

What’s going on with the surrounding properties?

It’s a good idea to be in the know of what’s happening on the land near you and getting to know your neighbors. Are properties near you in the process of development? Have there been environmental issues or hazards with your neighbors? This will help you get an idea of what to expect from your own land.

St. Jude Dream Home 2020

How does water drain from the property?

Some properties dry quickly, while others stay wet most of the year. It is important to know this upfront to fix any poor drainage around buildings that can cause permanent damage and mold.

Do you provide any type of warranty for my home?

Yes. We offer a great warranty. It provides a complete service for satisfaction for the first full year. Through a partnership we provide optional homeowner services for all of our homes. It recertifies annually to ensure that our standards for quality, financial stability, technical competency, and customer satisfaction meet expectations.

Will you provide references?

Absolutely! Speaking with previous clients and cross checking reviews and references can help you establish trust with your potential contractor and gain a better understanding of their expertise and specialties. Knowing their previous experience and how that correlates to the job you are entrusting them with builds confidence and helps you make a more informed decision.

What if I want to make changes after my contract is signed?

We will work with you on any changes that need to be made during the process. Depending on the magnitude of the change, there may be a fee included to make the adjustment. Elements and details may be easier to accomplish and therefore not require the additional fee. We understand that there may be changes as the home takes shape and we will do our best to work with you to accommodate them.

At what point should I work out financing?

Once we’ve rendered your property to scale, you will have the information you need in order to contact your lending institution and begin the financing process. You should contact your mortgage lender no later than 1 week after completing this step. If you are still searching for a lender, we can provide you with some referrals to lenders we have worked with in the past and that we trust to provide exceptional service to our clients.

New construction

How long will it take to complete my home?

It typically takes 9-15months from “Let’s Talk” to “Happily Ever After”. You can expect your build to fall within that range, and as we progress through the build, we will be able to narrow that time frame even more. Who will be my point of contact during the process? Communication is key during the homebuilding process, so it is essential to establish your main point of contact early on and discuss communication preferences. Is there a project manager who will be moderating the conversation with the contractor? Will I have multiple points of contact?Should I expect correspondence by email, phone, or text?When communication styles clash, it can lead to frustration and delays. Knowing these things can help you identify whether or not a contractor is the right choice for you.

Who will be my point of contact throughout the build process?

Communication is key during the home building process, which is why we establish your main point of contact early on and discuss communication preferences.

We work to keep you informed on the process and progress so you never have to wonder what stage of the build we are on. You’ll get regular updates to keep you in-the-know!

Have additional questions?

We’re Here to Guide You Every Step of the Way

We believe that building your home should be a pleasant experience, one to look forward to with excitement, and we are here to make sure that’s exactly how your home build goes.

Let us know what other questions you have about getting started on your dream home build!

September 11, 2025

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