Choosing a Custom Home Neighborhood

13 Jul Choosing a Custom Home Neighborhood

Finding that perfect place to build your custom home can be incredibly difficult. You can find a lot off by itself or you can choose to build a custom home in a neighborhood. A custom home neighborhood is the perfect compromise to building a custom home and also being part of a community. However, before you buy a lot and start building, here are a few suggestions from expert Indianapolis custom home builders on what to look for in a neighborhood:

First Impressions

You might not like to judge books by their covers, but when it comes to your custom home neighborhood, you need to judge it a little on your first impressions. What do you see when you pull into the neighborhood? Do you feel at home? Is there a lot of traffic or noise? Taking a mental note or actual notes of the neighborhood when you first arrive will help you make a decision later on. You can compare your initial thoughts from several neighborhoods and compare what you liked and didn’t like.

Lot Size

Custom home lots, like neighborhoods, come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The truth is, not every lot is created equally. Corner lots typically come with more land, but they also have to deal with more traffic, which means more noise. Lots closer to the entrance of the neighborhood are also going to see more traffic. But, a lot at the back of the neighborhood will take longer to get to. Not to mention, some lots will have better views, more trees, and different access to neighborhood amenities.

Commute

If you don’t want a long commute to work, then this is definitely something you want to look for in a custom home neighborhood. How long will it take you to get to work with morning traffic? Is it close to schools? Is there easy access to major roads, highways, or interstates? Keep in mind that a commute isn’t just about getting to work. It’s about getting around town, traveling to the park, going to school, and doing everything else you enjoy.

Amenities

Custom home neighborhoods usually have great amenities like community buildings, walking paths, parks, and even swimming pools. These are all great amenities to look for in a neighborhood, but they aren’t the only ones. You need to also keep in mind the amenities outside of the neighborhood. Are there restaurants, public areas, shops, and other places your family can enjoy nearby? You aren’t going to want to drive half an hour every time you need to go to the grocery store or pick up a quick dinner.

School Districts

If you have kids or plan on having kids, then you’ll want to pay attention to school districts around the neighborhood. In fact, you may want to find a school district you love before you start looking for a custom home neighborhood. The schools your kids attend will continue to play a major role in their lives long after they graduate.

Neighbors

Finally, before you start building, it’s important to spend some time with the neighbors, if there are any. Ask them what they like and don’t like about the neighborhood. Ask them about the community and anything else you can think of. Doing this serves two purposes: 1) you can learn about the neighborhood from someone who lives there and 2) you can meet some of the people who live in the neighborhood and decide for yourself if you’ll get along with them.

Before making an commitments to a neighborhood or lot, the builders at Michael and Associates would love to talk to you about your dream home. We can even help you find the perfect lot and custom home neighborhood for your dream home. What are you waiting for? Let’s talk!