We met our building supervisor at our lot to see the stakes that show the perimeter of our house and where the foundation will be.
The Incredible Shrinking Lot
Our lot seems big when it is empty and when it has no markers on it. But, after staking out where the house will be, our lot really seems to shrink. If we have a small backyard, we are fine
. We are fencing the perimeter, so it will feel even a bit smaller, but life will be so much easier with a fairly flat yard with a patio right off the breakfast room. If you want a flat yard, then opt away from house designs with walkout basements because they need steps down to the backyard. A deck limits your space and can create a disconnect from the actual yard, since it is above it. A deck is not my first preference. We want our barbecue grill and patio right outside the door of the breakfast area for entertaining and overall ease of living. This expands our living area to the outdoors like the great outdoor living areas you see many homeowners adding today. Plus, our dogs can run right out the door when they need to go outside.
Choose Wisely
In regard to lot selection, it’s important to think about not only the lot you build on and how the slope of the lot affects the type of home you build, but think about the neighborhood and lot location in general. There are some great articles in the Getting Started section of House Plans and More’s Resource Center about many of these subjects, and they are very helpful in determining what is the most important things in a location and lot for us. Building on a smaller lot may seem like a hindrance, but in all actuality, there are many things that can make a smaller lot more attractive overall. Price, maintenance, and creative, functional home design all come to mind as positives when building on a smaller lot. And, in regard to selecting a neighborhood in general, we definitely want an area with consistency in the quality of the homes around us (better resell value for the future), close proximity to family members already living in the area (especially our parents and children), overall convenience to the places we enjoy going regularly, and ease with work commutes. This lot location met all of these requirements and allows our lives to be easier and less stressful on a daily basis.
So, now that the lot is staked, the builder thinks the digging of the foundation is only moments away.
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