Buying Land to Build a House: Red Flags, Site Issues and What to Check First

What this episode covers

Show Notes:Choosing the right land is just as important as choosing the right house design, and in this episode we break down how to evaluate a building site before you fall in love with the view or the school district. We explain how two “similar” lots can have totally different realities once you factor in buried utilities, old foundations, wetlands, soil problems, steep slopes, floodplains, zoning setbacks, and the true cost of bringing in water, sewer, and power. You’ll learn why Landmark insists on checking that a house actually fits the lot and matches its conditions, how low‑priced land can hide expensive construction challenges, how special foundations, geotechnical reports, and flood‑elevation requirements affect design and budget, and how proper site planning also ties into disaster resistance (hurricanes, earthquakes, high winds, snow loads). Throughout, we will show you how Landmark helps owner‑builders go from “we own this land” to “we understand exactly how to use it,” acting as the engine that connects site conditions, permits, structure, and custom design into a buildable, budget‑aware plan. Of course, if you need help evaluating your land, we can assist with your site plan review to ensure your design fits the property. Transcript: Steve Tuma: Generally, customers are excited — “Hey, let me get my plans.” And I’m saying, “Hey, that’s important. Let’s make sure the house fits on the land. Let’s make sure things work.” Interviewer: Hello everyone, and welcome to Episode 78 of the Panelized Prefab Kit Home Building Show. With me again today is the President and Founder of Landmark Home and Land Company, a company which has been helping people build their new homes where they want, exactly as they want, nationwide and around the globe since 1993, Mr. Steve Tuma. Steve, what’s shaking, amigo? Steve Tuma: It’s another great day. You know, it’s funny — you say “what’s shaking,” and we’re going to talk about land today. That could be stuff with earthquakes and earthquake engineering, but it’s a good day. It was a really interesting week. A lot of customers getting very detailed into their home plans — specifics of exactly how they want the house. You know, nothing standard: “I want my kitchen like this, I want my hallway like this,” and it was pretty interesting. And you know, some land things — I think we’re going to talk about land a little today. Interviewer: That’s what I want to talk about. Not so much about the actual building process, which is usually what we’re talking about, but an aspect of building that we don’t get enough time with, I don’t think — and that’s the land itself. Are you good with that? Steve Tuma: Yeah, yeah. This is a really interesting topic that a lot of people don’t really get into the details of. They say, “Hey, it’s close, it’s in the right school district, or it’s got a view.” But, you know, within that there’s a lot of stuff to check out. Interviewer: Well, you’re always interesting, so I don’t see why today would be any different. But to start with, give us some insight into the obvious questions a new homeowner‑builder might have — things like, well, how best to choose land to build a house on in the first place. Let’s start there. Steve Tuma: Well, generally people look at a community or neighborhood, or land with certain features. You know, if they’re doing a retirement home in the Rockies or the Sierras, they might want a certain view or certain trees or cert...