If you are interested in building a house, one of the first things to consider is the lot size. The lot size determines the size of your home even though it varies depending on your location. As of 2010, the average lot size was 17, 590 ft2 while the highest lot size was 18, 433 ft2 in 2008.

 

However, if your property is outside the metropolitan areas, you will have a large lot size. The lot size as of 2009 was 32, 664 ft2. For example, in the Northeastern part of the United States, the land size peaked at 44, 781 ft2 in 2008 and 32, 955 ft2 in 2010.

 

The minimum amount of land you need to build your home depends mostly on the local zoning requirements of the area as well as the size of the house. A good understanding of what the buyers are looking for or expecting will also give you an upper hand. You can always contact a local real estate expert to know more about your choice area. This article contains four factors that determines the land size for your building.

 

 

Why Do You Want to Build the House?

Having understood the average plot size, the next thing to focus on is the purpose of the building. You need to know why you are building the house.

  • Is it your dream home?
  • Will you rent it out?
  • Alternatively, do you want to make it part of a farm?

The answers to the above questions will determine how much space you need for the house. If it is your dream home, you can build the house to your taste. However, if it is rent or sales, you may not care as much as making it reach your standard. All you need is to make the home inhabitable.

 

 

Building Plans

Many homeowners have made the mistake of not considering their building plans before buying a lot of land. The size of your home in the building plan will determine how much land you need to build your house.

 

The government in many areas has the right to use about 10 feet of your property for road or utility purpose. As a result, you need to ensure that there is a setback of 25 feet to the road. You can calculate the setback by subtracting the square footage of the proposed house from the measurement of the land. If the property will not contain the home conveniently and allow for an additional 25 feet for clearance, then you might need to go for a bigger lot.

 

 

average lot size of a home

 

Space for Utilities

The importance of utilities in a home cannot be overemphasized. No one is always interested in living in a home that lacks some basic amenities. Apart from that, some local regulations have laid down specific rules in respect of utilities.

 

The proposed land should have space for septic in line with the regulations which required it to be several feet away from home. While considering this, you should ensure that the property line of your neighbor is not affected.

 

 

Occupier Liability

Everybody has a duty of care to their neighbor. As a result, one must try to build in such a way that it will not affect other property. Thus, it is advised that a building should not be too close to the next building to avoid being liable for some activities which could attract fine.

 

As a smart home builder, you do not just need to buy a lot of land without analyzing how much land you would need. You would have little problem irrespective of the home if you could determine the size of your land.