Yeah, but how do you know when to trust your gut vs. when you're just being stubborn? I've seen people stick to their guns and regret it later...and fixing mistakes isn't exactly cheap. What's the secret to knowing the difference?
- Honestly, I've been wrestling with this exact question myself lately. We're in the early stages of building our first custom home, and deciding on lot size has been a bigger headache than I expected. Here's what's been helping me so far:
- First, I try to separate my emotional attachment from practical considerations. Like, am I insisting on a larger lot just because I always dreamed of having tons of space, or is it actually something we'll use and appreciate long-term? Sometimes it's hard to admit when you're just being stubborn about a vision you've had forever.
- Second, I've found it helpful to talk to people who've already built homes similar to what we're planning. Hearing their regrets or things they'd do differently can be eye-opening. For instance, my coworker went big on lot size because he wanted privacy, but now he's stuck spending every weekend maintaining a huge yard he barely uses. That made me reconsider how much space we realistically need.
- Another thing that's helped is making a list of priorities—like privacy, maintenance effort, resale value, proximity to neighbors—and ranking them. It sounds basic, but seeing it all laid out clearly can really clarify whether your gut feeling aligns with your actual needs or if you're just digging in your heels unnecessarily.
- Lastly, I remind myself that no decision is ever going to feel 100% perfect. There's always some compromise involved. The trick seems to be figuring out which compromises you can comfortably live with long-term and which ones will drive you nuts later.
I'm still figuring it out myself, but these steps have at least made the process feel less overwhelming. Hope some of this helps!
Good points here. From experience, I'd add:
- Remember your lifestyle might change over time. When our kids were younger, the big yard was great, but now they're teens and barely step outside. Suddenly, mowing that huge lawn feels like a chore rather than a benefit.
- Also, think about how much privacy you really need. We thought we'd hate having neighbors close by, but honestly, it's been nice having people nearby for quick favors or just friendly chats.
Have you thought about how your lot size might affect future home improvements or additions?
Totally agree about lifestyle shifts—seen that happen a lot. One thing I'd add: have you considered zoning or setback requirements in your area? Even if the lot seems spacious now, certain zoning laws can limit expansions or additions later on. Sometimes people buy large lots assuming they can build freely, but setbacks, easements, or drainage requirements can really narrow your options down the road...worth checking into before you commit.
Good point about zoning—seen plenty of headaches from that. I'd also suggest checking utility access early on. Had a client once who assumed utilities were easy hookups, but ended up spending thousands extra running lines...definitely something to keep in mind.
