Fall is the perfect time to buy land
It really is! But not early fall when all you can do is admire the colours and wonder what the heck you're looking at. Late fall, when the leaves have hit the deck is an ideal time to look at lots. Heavily wooded lots are so much easier to navigate when the foliage is gone. You'll still have to clamber over undergrowth but you'll have a much easier time picking out paths through the trees. And speaking of trees, it's the perfect time to pick out which trees are good to keep and which are good to go.
Once you've narrowed your search, you might want to go back to those lots that are most interesting and take a 200' tape measure and some orange marking tape. Armed with the rough dimensions of your dream home, wrap the tape around a few trees to simulate the perimeter of the house. Then stand at your "windows" and admire your view. Just be sure to get permission from the owner or Realtor first. Otherwise it's trespassing!
Building a home in the country is a dream that many share. Fortunately, in Simcoe County there are still plenty of desirable locations where lots are available. If you're working without the help of a real estate professional, please check with the local authorities to determine what's allowed on your lot. With so much environmentally sensitive land around, you can't assume that the zoning by-laws are the same for all lots in any municipality.
Here are a few things to consider before you buy:
Zoning: Make sure that the lot is zoned for the use you plan to put it to. Some lots have mixed zoning that will allow for building on some part of the property with the rest as Environmentally Protected.
Size of House: There are minimum and maximum sizes of house that can be built depending on the size of the lot.
Setbacks: You'll need to know how close to the lot lines you can build your house/garage
Well/Septic: If you won't be able to connect to municipal services, you'll need a well and septic. An environmental study and test holes will be needed to determine the correct placement and how deep you'll need to drill for water.
So get out and pick your spot. And spend the winter, planning and dreaming and getting those permits so you can be ready to start as soon as the weather permits.
Need help finding a lot? Call me. I'd love to help.