11/25/2025
Everybody loves bragging about getting land “for cheap,” but the real win isn’t the lowest price… it’s buying the right piece of land that sets your entire project up for success. A bad lot can cost you more in delays, engineering issues, and unexpected fees than the land itself.
These are the 5 key things I look at before buying any property for new construction:
1. The true buildable area
A lot can be 5,000 sqft on paper but only give you 2,800 sqft of actual buildable space once you factor in easements, setbacks, and utility lines. If you can’t place the house you want, the deal doesn’t work — no matter how cheap it is.
2. Soil quality and elevation
If the soil is soft or the land sits low, you’ll pay for extra piers, extra foundation work, drainage, and sometimes retention. Cheap land with expensive dirt is not a discount — it’s a trap.
3. Required utilities and access points
Land without city water, sewer, electricity, or proper access can create thousands in unexpected costs. You should know what hookups already exist and what fees you’re responsible for before you ever close.
4. Neighborhood zoning and long-term plans
Zoning determines what you can build, how big, and for what purpose. But the city’s long-term plan determines whether your investment appreciates. I’m looking at growth projections, development patterns, and future infrastructure — not today’s price tag.
5. Buildability vs. budget
Just because you “can” build doesn’t mean you should. The smartest investors buy land that matches their end strategy: rental, Airbnb, resale, or multifamily. The wrong piece of land can turn the best design into a losing project.
Buying the right lot is a skill set — and once you understand what to look for, you’ll stop chasing discounts and start chasing opportunities.
If you want my free New Construction Starter Guide that walks you through the exact team members you need to build a home from scratch, comment “LAND” and I’ll send it to you.
