subject: Nc Retirement Communities-custom Home Building Guide, Part 1 Of 3 [print this page] New Home Community Custom Home Building New Home Community Custom Home Building
Part I, Homesite Selection
Written by: Darren BouleyThe first step in the custom home building process is identifying a homesite for the location of your custom-home. Whether you're interested in a panoramic golf view or a private homesite backing up to nature, the design of your home should the natural characteristics of the homesite. The use of a home designer or architect is strongly suggested to exploit the natural characteristics of the property and potential views. Homesite CostFor most families, the cost of the homesite is the primary determining factor when choosing a homesite. Communities along the North Carolina coast offer a wide range of homesites, with prices from the $40s to over $1,000,000. The prices are typically determined by primary factors, foremost of which include: LocationView SizeMotivation of SellerSimilar Competing Properties Because most families have a budget range in mind for the overall cost of the home, it is important to have an established idea of what you want in a home as it pertains to size and finishes. Once you have an idea of the homes you want you can extrapolate the budget for a homesite.Size of Home and HomesiteBe sure that the size of your home will fit on the building envelope of the homesite and that the neighborhood where the homesite is located is consistent with other homes in the neighborhood. In an effort to maintain continuity and preserve values in a community, many times the developer has established minimum square foot requirements for neighborhoods. If you are interested in a home that is 4,000 heated square feet, placing that home in a neighborhood with minimum square foot requirements of 1,600 would not be advisable. Additionally, the style of home will determine the homesite size. A ranch-style home will require a larger building envelope, as the home is primarily on one floor. A home with a second floor will require less space because you can arrive at the total square feet desired within a smaller home footprint.Finally, don't overlook the fact that a larger homesite, while providing additional privacy, will be require more yard maintenance. Many families prefer to spend more time at the beach and golfing rather than cutting grass. ExposureMany families overlook the exposure of the home. Exposure is determined by the direction the rear of the home faces. Exposure is a question of personal taste and some prefer the morning sun at the rear of the home, while other prefer a western exposure resulting in late day sun on back porches and kitchen areas.Traffic Some communities are less susceptible to high traffic inconveniences because they may have multiple community entrances, which allow families to enter and leave easily. However, there are areas that abut roads which do generate traffic noise and it is important to take stock of the location of the homesite relative to these roads.Proximity to AmenitiesThe location of the homesite relative to the amenities is a consideration that is important to some families, who anticipate walking out of their front door and going for a swim or enjoy a work out at the fitness center. Again, understand the location of the homesite relative to the amenities that are most important to you.HazardsWhen considering coastal Carolina real estate buyers must understand that there are areas that are more prone to flooding than others. While all of North Carolina is considered in a floor plain, insurance companies, in conjunction with local, state and federal authorities, have developed insurance flood zones which designate flooding probability.Based on the flood probability insurance companies have assigned specific insurance rates and the Federal Government requires mandatory insurance for those properties that are federal secured, such as those homes which carry and are secured by the FDIC. Naturally, the higher the flood probability the higher the insurance premium, often referred to as Hazard Insurance. The two most common zones are Zone A and Zone X. Zone A is often called the 100 year floodplain and is calculated to be the level of flood waters expected to equal or exceed every 100 years on average. Zone X, similarly, is the flood level expected to be equaled or exceeded every 5 years on average. Zone A requires flood insurance for federal backed financed homes and Zone X does not.No matter where your interest may lie with regards to a homesite, take the time to understand your surrounding and how it will affect your ability to enjoy your future home. by: Darren Bouley
