Size. If your lot is of ample size, you are lucky -- as most house plans you select will fit. Small lots, irregularly shaped lots, and narrow lake lots, however, have limitations that must be considered early on in the process. Special care will be needed to select the correct plan for these lots.

Slope. A lot that is flat or slopes front to back is the easiest to design. A lot that slopes back to front presents more of a challenge to get that "perfect look" but can be achieved. More grading and design work may be required not to end up with a home that appears somewhat "awkward and leggy".

When we first meet with clients and see their lots, we often drive them through some subdivisions, pointing out different styles that best fit on certain lots, explaining why they either work or don't work.

Soil. The soil bears the weight of the home. Mistakes made in placement on the lot may cause serious problems, including uneven settling, and drywall or concrete wall cracks. A soil report identifies potential problems and will help determine how the foundation should be constructed so it can support the weight of the home.

Setbacks/Standards. It is extremely important that you understand all of the setbacks and development standards that your Architectural Review Board (ARB) or Architectural Control Committee (ACC), if you have one, will require to approve your house plan. It is also necessary, especially for lake lot owners, to understand any special requirements your county may require regarding flood plain requirements and build distances from the lake that may be in addition to the ARB/ACC standards.

Nothing is more deflating than to present your plan for approval after working on it for months only to find out that it does not meet the guidelines.

Site Optimization. You more than likely purchased your lot for the "view" - whether it sits on a golf course, lake or river or nestled in the woods. So, working within the specifications of your - Size, Slope and Setbacks - you also want to optimize your Site View.

Recently a homeowner wanted to set the house as close to the front of the lot as possible, to provide some distance between the back of the house and the golf cart path. However, they were the first on their street to build. We advised them to build as far back on the lot, within the setback, as they could. That way the homes yet to be built on either side would not block their beautiful view of the tee, green and pond. They were thrilled with the final outcome, knowing their view will never be obstructed.