It’s the most common phrase in real estate: “Location, location, location.” It makes sense, because location is a major factor in the value of most homes. So choosing a great location for your home is critical.
Most of the custom dream homes we build in the Brainerd Lakes Area take advantage of one of the area’s many lakes. If you’re considering a lakeshore lot, you’re already well on your way to having a dream location for your dream home. But choosing a location is a lot more than just buying a lake lot. In fact, the location is probably as important as what the home actually looks like when it’s completed.
Your home’s location is going to impact your daily life, your home’s property value, even your general happiness. So it’s important to think about your needs. For instance, do you have school-age children? If so, you’ll want to research the area’s schools, and focus on identifying a district that would best serve your kids.
Also, how’s your health? And your partner’s, if you have one? Even people who are in perfect health right now are likely to need some level of medical care in the future. Consider the type of care you need now but also might need down the road. We think of our houses as “forever” homes; we want you to live a long, happy life in them. But access to an appropriate level of medical care is certainly worth considering as you seek the perfect location.
The activities of daily life are heavily impacted by your home’s location. Not everyone has a commute, but if you do, it’s worth considering how much time per day you’re willing to commit to it. Even simple things like the location of the nearest grocery store, shopping center, restaurant, or entertainment can make a difference in your overall satisfaction with your home and your life. In general, there aren’t right or wrong answers to these questions. But for you, there definitely are! Choosing a lot that puts you where you want and need to be is a critical step in the design/build process.
What does the lot itself look like? In general the ideal lot is stable, has good drainage, and doesn’t offer much risk for soil erosion. Water is one of the biggest threats to a home; we want to make sure it stays outside the home, or in the pipes.
You should also consider what might be required to landscape the house. A lot with a steep slope could require a lot of infill to level out a spot for the home and your outdoor spaces. Almost any lot can be made buildable, but terraforming the lot before you can even start digging a foundation can take a big bite out of your budget. Of course, we’ll be there to advise you and help you envision what could be built, and where.
Another thing to think about is how the lot might change with the seasons. We’re in Minnesota, so you know we’ll get all four of them in full. Imagine what the location might look like in each season.
The views from the lot matter, too. Give the entire area a careful 360-degree look. Is there an eyesore visible from any angle? Something that might end up being constantly visible through a picture window? We obviously would use our design/build process to work around these kinds of concerns, but sometimes there’s just a cell tower where there’s a cell tower.
What about the surrounding area? You’ve already considered it in terms of local amenities, but other things around your dream home can have a big impact on your enjoyment. For instance, is there a nearby highway? The noise might interrupt those peaceful summer sunsets. Or maybe it’s not very much traveled, and is exactly what you need to get from home to those nearby amenities. A marsh/wetland area might bring peaceful croaking frogs, but could also be a hotbed for mosquito growth.
It’s worth looking into what the area around the lot is zoned for, too. A hog operation opening up nearby could have a major impact on your quality of life, depending on which way the wind blows!
While these types of concerns range from “unlikely” to “absolutely” (ahem, those pesky mosquitoes), they’re worth considering. After all, your dream home is going to last you and your family a long, long time. Getting the location right is important.
Whether you have a location already picked out or even purchased, or if you’ve just started looking, Dotty Brothers Construction is happy to help you find the perfect place for your custom dream home. Contact us to get started on your dream home.
