Unspoiled view, water front, road frontage. Just the list of qualities you are looking for in a lot to build your dream home, right?

Buyer, Duval County, St. Johns County

Then again, maybe not. Some of these terms and phrases sound delightfully poetic, don’t they? But have you researched the area thoroughly? Water front property in much of Florida has restrictions for building, and wetland conservation can play a role as well.

Road frontage. But what kind of road are we talking about? A maintained county road, or a dirt track through what used to be an orchard?

Unspoiled view. Check with the planning commission to make certain there isn’t a view spoiler on someone’s zoning plan.

Planned Community Lots versus Open Lots

Planned community lots have some benefits from the developer. Usually they have been planned for streets, water, electric lines, sewer and such. They have also been determined by the local authorities to be ‘okay’ to build on for the proposed structure that the developer gave them plans for. However, a planned community will likely have restrictions for the size and style of building you erect. Planned communities like conformity for maintaining a good resale comparison base in Ponte Vedra real estate.

Open lots, or someone’s family farm that is being sold off by the owners, is another option when a survey has been done to portion off the land. However, just because there was a survey to determine the boundaries does not mean that the land is suitable for your building project. If there is no nearby municipal water and sewer, will you be able to dig a well and put in a septic field? Have the electric and telephone lines been run out to the property, or will you have to arrange for that? The up side is that you can design and build a home to suit you and the land without worrying about Home Owners Associations giving you grief about the exact shade of paint on your front door.

Research!

Legwork and a good realtor are going to be a big must. Explore the area you are looking at and get to know the people at the planning commission, zoning board, wetlands and conservation committees. St. Augustine FL real estate can be a challenge! Interview builders who are familiar with the area and the type of property you are looking at.

Read, question and check all your resources. Happy Home Building!

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