Choosing a Site for Your Home before you buy

There are two primary options: placing your home on land you own or intend to purchase, or leasing property on a private lot, in a planned community, or in a park.

If you are looking for property to purchase, ask us. We are real estate agents who are experienced with sourcing land.

Buying property

Owning the property under a home is attractive to many buyers. It may make it easier to qualify for conventional financing and the land and home together may appreciate faster than owning a home alone.

Leasing property

Leasing a site can be a less expensive option and is typically less complicated than buying property. However, it is important to keep in mind that you own the home and not the land.

You can make your search more efficient by thinking about what is most important to you. Are you prepared to develop land? Are you looking for a site where minimal preparation will be needed? What neighborhood amenities are important to you? Are you interested in a planned community?

Be prepared to look at a lot of properties. Buying or leasing land is a big commitment so take your time and look for the property that really meets your needs.

Developing Your Property

Found the land on which you want to build? Congratulations! HomeCo & Fleetwood Homes can be ideal for installing on undeveloped land. There are many practical factors to be considered to ensure the timeliness of the delivery process, the utilities hook up, and any site improvements. There are also necessary precautions to take which will provide long-term home durability.

Zoning - Are there any regulations that would prevent siting your home? A title search will probably reveal any such restrictions.

Access - Is there adequate access to the site for delivery of your home?

Utilities - Is there access to utilities such as electricity, gas or alternate fuel, water, sewer or septic tank?

Permits - What is required in your community? More than one permit may be required for site improvement and the installation of your home.

The Benefits of Leasing

Leasing can be a good option because the costs of the property are usually much lower than buying outright. Your retailer can help you find rental communities in your area. Often, leasing property may have costs over and above your rent. Ask questions and be sure to know what you're committing to.

Understand the Details

Make sure you understand, and can live with, the terms of your lease. As with purchasing land, there are a number of issues to consider:

Lease - Is there a written contract? What are the terms?

Relocation - Are there provisions in the lease to protect you if the property owner sells? Will the owner help with moving expenses?

Rules - If the property is in a community, are there rules and regulations that tenants must abide by?

Fees - Who pays for installation costs and maintenance? What are the costs for utility connections?

Amenities - Are there golf courses, tennis courts, club houses, or other amenities that suit your lifestyle?

The Package Deal

Buying property and a Fleetwood home at the same time, also called a "land/home" transaction, offers the buyer some big advantages:

Conventional financing - Because real property is involved, a better mortgage rate may be arranged.

Equity growth - A Fleetwood home on property you own can appreciate as fast as a site-built home.

Flexibility - You're free to choose the land you want and to site your home to the best advantage