Before you can build a luxury home, you need to find the perfect location. It’s easier said than done! The location you choose has a big impact on your long-term satisfaction and can have a big impact on your home’s value over time as well.
The Corbo Group has been building in Connecticut for decades, and we know the luxury home market here. We work with real estate partners to help our clients find ideal sites for their dream homes. Here are some tips that we’ve picked up as we’ve helped hundreds of folks achieve their dream homes in their dream locations.
What to Consider: Connecticut Site Selection for Custom Homes
You should love where you live. Here are our top 6 factors to keep in mind when looking for the perfect piece of land.
Neighborhood and Community
Your neighborhood will set the tone for your daily life. Do you want a quiet suburban community where you can meet your neighbors while out walking dogs? Or maybe you want to be walking to downtown attractions. Woodbury offers a small-town charming feel, while Newtown or Southbury are more rural. If proximity to an urban environment appeals to you, consider Fairfield with its waterfront property and easy commute into NYC.
You should also consider the amenities a community has to offer in addition to the personality of each location. Good schools, access to groceries and shopping, and local attractions are key. In addition, consider how the community matches with your lifestyle: if you have a hobby or work that requires a commute, learn about the traffic patterns to ensure you won’t spend hours in your car each day.
Property Size and Layout
Next, you’ll want to consider how much land you need to build your dream home. Many people are looking for an acre, which is a generous size for a large single-family custom home. If you want a more sprawling estate, you may want a bigger plot — like 3 acres for a more private feel.
In addition to the size of the lot, you’ll need to consider its layout. Some pieces of land have been subdivided into long, narrow strips — while the square footage is the same, it’s hard to build on a property like that! You’ll also want to account for any sloping, changes in grade, and issues that may affect your ability to build. A creek running through the property might be charming, but can affect your construction and the ability to enjoy your yard long-term.
The Corbo Group offers site assessment to help you understand if the land you’ve got your eye on will be feasible for your dream home.
Local Zoning and Restrictions
In Connecticut, zoning varies from town to town. However, every municipality requires a zoning permit for new construction or significant alternations, which must be obtained before a building permit can be issued. Other common restrictions often include lot size and setback requirements, which dictate the minimum distance a structure must be from property lines. Many towns also have specific regulations for detached garages and sheds, as well as provisions for flood zones, aquifer protection, and building near natural resources like wetlands and watercourses. We will work directly with the town’s planning and zoning department to help you understand the rules and regulations you’ll need to adhere to when building custom.
Some unique restrictions (or lack thereof) in our service area are:
- Bethlehem, CT has no zoning ordinance, which provides a great deal of flexibility to property owners.
- Easton, CT places a high priority on protecting water resources and has specific zoning regulations in place to preserve groundwater and surface water.
- Roxbury, CT has guidelines for housing animals, which is relevant if you dream of an estate with a hobby farm.
Accessibility and Convenience
Connecticut offers a wide range of property types in a fairly small area. You can find rural farmland, bustling cities, and charming small suburbs all within an hour’s drive. However, the accessibility of your new home in your day-to-day routine will have a great impact on your satisfaction.
You should also consider the amenities a community has to offer in addition to the personality of each location. Good schools, access to groceries and shopping, and local attractions are key. In addition, consider how the community matches with your lifestyle: if you have a hobby or work that requires a commute, learn about the traffic patterns to ensure you won’t spend hours in your car each day.
Also: consider if your property is on a private road. While the seclusion is ideal for some, you will be the one responsible for clearing snow or debris. Make sure that’s something you are prepared for before you choose to buy and build.
Future Resale Value
Finally, your location will impact your future resale value. Don’t just consider what the area looks like today, but envision it ten, fifteen, or twenty years into the future. For example: if you are choosing a more rural location: do you foresee suburban sprawl edging into your rural paradise? Or do you think more retail and grocery stores, and neighborhoods will add to your enjoyment and value to your home?
Home values can fluctuate for many reasons, but by reviewing the real estate trends in your area, you can make educated choices about your home’s future resale value as well as your long-term enjoyment based on development trends and possible changes.
Build a Luxury Custom Home in Connecticut
Ready to build in Connecticut? The Corbo Group can help you get started. If you don’t yet have land, we can connect you with our real estate partner to get your search started. Then, we can help with site assessment, home design, and construction as your dream home comes to life. Get in touch today.
