How Do I Choose My Perfect Piece Of North Carolina Property?
After combing through various Charlotte area residential lots for sale and you've found a piece of land for sale in the right NC area, you've completed researching builders (not to mention, visited the home site at least once in person!) then it’s time to consider the infrastructure requirements for your new North Carolina home.
To ensure you get the most from your new Mecklenburg area homesite, you’ll need to look into the availability of - and options for - utilities and infrastructure at the site such as water, power, sewer/septic and communications.
Infrastructure decisions are typically much less complex if you're purchasing a finished home site for sale in a developed community. Alternatively, buying an undeveloped piece of land for sale in North Carolina (particularly, land for sale by owner in the Charlotte, NC area...) may require a bit more research and time to ensure that you can get the utilities and infrastructure that you'll need.
To ensure you get the most from your new Mecklenburg area homesite, you’ll need to look into the availability of - and options for - utilities and infrastructure at the site such as water, power, sewer/septic and communications.
Infrastructure decisions are typically much less complex if you're purchasing a finished home site for sale in a developed community. Alternatively, buying an undeveloped piece of land for sale in North Carolina (particularly, land for sale by owner in the Charlotte, NC area...) may require a bit more research and time to ensure that you can get the utilities and infrastructure that you'll need.
How Do I Power My New Charlotte Area Home?
In many cases, electrical power is already available. That being said, you may want – or need – to be creative about powering your Charlotte area home. Keep options like solar, natural gas, propane, heating oil or even geothermal to meet some or all of your home’s energy needs. Another consideration worth pointing out: if you want a gas stove for that stunning gourmet kitchen or the simply efficiency of gas powered options then make sure to confirm that natural gas is available at your new North Carolina home site.
What Are The Water and Sewer Options For My Home?
While public water or sewer may be available in remote areas, you may incur significant costs to pipe and extend these services to your new home site. Some municipalities will extend the public sewer or water main lines closer to you for little or no cost. Contact your local utility department to inquire.
When connecting to municipal water or sewer systems there may be fees for water or sewer tap/connection, meters, capacity or other assessments which you'll need to consider. Public sewer service is not always available for North Carolina homesites, even in some developed communities. Fortunately there are alternatives, and a septic system is one of the most popular.
The first thing to do in this case is to order a percolation test. A Percolation Test (colloquially called a "perc test") is a test to determine the water absorption rate of soil (that is, its capacity for percolation) in preparation for the building of a septic drain field (leach field) or infiltration basin. Hopefully the lot easily passes the perc test, because failing to get the outcome you want could prevent you from being able to build on the site at all.
When connecting to municipal water or sewer systems there may be fees for water or sewer tap/connection, meters, capacity or other assessments which you'll need to consider. Public sewer service is not always available for North Carolina homesites, even in some developed communities. Fortunately there are alternatives, and a septic system is one of the most popular.
The first thing to do in this case is to order a percolation test. A Percolation Test (colloquially called a "perc test") is a test to determine the water absorption rate of soil (that is, its capacity for percolation) in preparation for the building of a septic drain field (leach field) or infiltration basin. Hopefully the lot easily passes the perc test, because failing to get the outcome you want could prevent you from being able to build on the site at all.
How Do I Keep My Mecklenburg County Area Home 'Connected'?
Consider the types of communications services you want – these days high speed Internet is almost a given, but what about telephone or cable TV? Don't forget to include the appropriate wiring in your house plans! There are numerous options available these days that don’t require a direct connection to a utility or wiring. If cable is not available in your area, consider satellite TV.
The Bottom Line...Whether building your dream home in a developed community or finding a home site 'away from it all', consider carefully all your utility needs to ensure that the options will work at your homesite, in your plans and within your budget.
Infrastructure research has its obvious benefits, so don’t let the “technical” nature of the process scare you. With the assistance of your real estate agent and builder, you should be able to easily navigate the various infrastructure and utility service options available when buying your new home site. |
