Avoid These Common Mistakes When Buying Land for Your Custom Home.

1. Avoid These Common Mistakes When Buying Land for Your Custom Home Award Winning Luxury Home Builder 11150 Sunset Hills Rd, Suite 309, Reston, VA, 20190, USA www.boterohomes.com (202) 515-0020 Ihab@boterohomes.com

2. Purchasing land to build your custom home can be an exhilarating experience. However, one misstep can lead to losing thousands of dollars and your dream build. Mistakes, whether hidden zoning restrictions or poor site conditions, are more frequent than you would imagine. This is how not to fall into the expensive trap and make the most intelligent investment in your future home. Avoid These Common Mistakes When Buying Land for Your Custom Home in Northern Virginia One wrong move when buying land may cost you dearly in terms of delays, unforeseen costs, or even a total switch of plans. Avoid the following pitfalls to ensure that your dream home project begins on sound footing: 1. Overlooking Zoning and Land Use Regulations A property's location or scenery entices most purchasers, but they often overlook zoning regulations. In Northern Virginia, zoning dictates what you can do with the land, the size of the house you can erect, and even the kind of structures that can be constructed. Lack of knowledge of these rules may result in future redesigns or lawsuits. When buying, always check with your county planning department. For example, Fairfax County could have regulations other than those of Loudoun County. When you conduct your due diligence beforehand, you can be sure that your dream home plan will comply with the law, and you will not have to deal with headaches later. 2. Ignoring Soil Quality and Land Topography The appearance of a property is misleading. Poor soil quality, high water tables, or steep slopes can significantly affect building costs. Botero Homes (202) 515-0020 11150 Sunset Hills Rd, Suite 309, Reston, VA, 20190, USA www.boterohomes.com Ihab@boterohomes.com

3. Some parts of Northern Virginia have soils that are heavy in clay or rocky, and this can necessitate special foundations or grading. A professional should do a topographic survey and soil test before buying. Such reports will show whether the land can support the structure of your home and any drainage or erosion issues. Failure to consider these facts can result in unforeseen delays in construction and tens of thousands of dollars in extra costs during construction. 3. Not Budgeting for Site Preparation Costs Most first-time land buyers only consider the purchase price and forget about site preparation costs. Clearing trees, grading, installing driveways, and setting up utilities in Northern Virginia can be very expensive. Tapping into the public water and sewer systems or digging a well and septic system can be a considerable cost in rural lots. These expenses can very easily reach into the tens of thousands, and they will affect your overall budget. Considering such costs before purchase will help you avoid unpleasant financial surprises and ensure that your dream house will not cost you more than you can afford. 4. Skipping the Environmental and Flood Zone Checks Failure to observe environmental constraints may stop your construction projects. Some of the lots in Northern Virginia are in conservation areas, wetlands, or flood zones, which may restrict building or necessitate expensive mitigation. Insurance coverage for flood zone properties can also be costly. Always ask to see an environmental impact assessment and look at FEMA flood maps before making a purchase. For example, a beautiful lot along the Potomac River can be subject to flood hazards. Botero Homes (202) 515-0020 11150 Sunset Hills Rd, Suite 309, Reston, VA, 20190, USA www.boterohomes.com Ihab@boterohomes.com

4. Failure to do so may result in expensive delays or loss of the right to construct the house of your dreams. 5. Failing to Consider Access and Easements The property may appear to be ideal, yet without the proper access, you may have a big problem. There are Northern Virginia lots with their roads, standard driveways, or landlocked sites that need easement agreements. Without them, you might not even have legal access to build or even access your property. Also, utility easements may restrict the location of your house or outbuildings. Check the property deed and get a real estate attorney to ensure access and easement rights before making an offer. Failure to do so may result in you owning land that you may not be able to develop to your taste. 6. Not Factoring in Future Development Plans A quiet, wooded lot may now be full of traffic or business buildings in two years. Development is fast in Northern Virginia, particularly in the high- demand regions such as Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties. Not researching future zoning, road widening, or planned development can drastically change the attractiveness and value of your property. Go to your county's planning office to look at long-term development maps. This will assist in making sure that your dream home site is as peaceful- or conveniently situated- as you envisioned when you purchased the land. 7. Choosing the Wrong Builder Early On Some purchasers buy land without consulting a builder, who later discovers Botero Homes (202) 515-0020 11150 Sunset Hills Rd, Suite 309, Reston, VA, 20190, USA www.boterohomes.com Ihab@boterohomes.com

5. that the lot has significant design or construction problems. Custom home builders in Northern Virginia, such as Botero Homes, can assess the potential of a property before purchase. They can identify red flags such as soil issues, grading issues, or restrictive covenants, which you may not. This is because partnering with a builder early will help ensure that your land purchase aligns with your home design vision and budget. Selecting an inappropriate builder or failing to select one in time may result in expensive alterations, extended schedules, and unwarranted stress when constructing the building. How a Local Custom Home Builder Can Help You Avoid Land-Buying Mistakes in Northern Virginia Purchasing land to build a custom home in Northern Virginia is not just about locating a picturesque lot but also about ensuring it is buildable, cost-effective, and fits your long-term vision. This is what a local builder can do: Site evaluation Zoning & permits guidance Budget planning Utility access checks Design fit Conclusion Purchasing a lot to build your ideal custom home in Northern Virginia is a significant investment, and one you cannot afford to make a mistake on. Using a local builder with many years of experience will help you avoid costly errors, simplify the process, and ensure your property meets your vision. Botero Homes (202) 515-0020 11150 Sunset Hills Rd, Suite 309, Reston, VA, 20190, USA www.boterohomes.com Ihab@boterohomes.com

6. Start the process of a stress-free build today by contacting Botero Homes to have experts take you through buying land. Botero Homes (202) 515-0020 11150 Sunset Hills Rd, Suite 309, Reston, VA, 20190, USA www.boterohomes.com Ihab@boterohomes.com