As you look at home plans, keep in mind that your plans may not take into account a specific building site. Elevations typically depict a house on a flat lot, rendered with flowing ground cover and shrubbery. Unfortunately, what looks good on the printed page may be less impressive and in fact may not even fit on your lot.

The first step in discovering the compatibility between your plans and its location is to spend time on your lot with your builder and Realtor. Gather basic information such as accurate boundary lines, covenants of easements, set back lines, utility locations, driveway entrances and mark off well, septic and reserve field locations. All these factors restrict the way you can fit the house on the lot.

The following list can be a guide to help you select a house location on your lot.

• What style of home is best suited to the lot? Does you home relate architecturally to the neighborhood? How does the driveway fit with the house? Does your drive have a shared entrance with your neighbor?
• Note the position of the sun according to the season and the time of day. This is important as you consider positioning a house on your lot. Do you want to start your day in a bright sunny kitchen? Does the rear yard need to be shaded in the late afternoon?
• Look into the neighbors yards and house for potentially negative sight lines.
• Note the direction of summer breezes and learn the direction of winter storms. If prevailing winter winds blow from the northwest, for example, it makes sense to create a windbreak by planting large pines or evergreens.

Don't begin construction of your home without having first walked your lot with your builder. Ask questions about the direction the home will face, how high it will sit off the ground, where the drive will enter. Talk about drainage! Look for large boulders and rocks sticking through the ground ... will drilling and blasting be needed? Take the time now, before the digging begins, to understand how your home will fit on your lot.

Complete the Lot Finder Form to start your search.