Purchasing & Selecting a plot of land for your house
Buying or choosing a plot of land is the very first step towards the house you have been dreaming of.
If you have decided the time has come to start building your new home, then finding the right plot is the first thing you need to deal with.
Surely, there’s a wide choice of land for sale and all kinds of plots to choose from within the real estate market. To make the right choice you need to assess a set of factors and have a detailed study made by a professional in the field. In this way, you will avoid flaws in the construction and problems in the future.
Choosing the right building plot for your house
Selecting a plot of land that’s right for your house requires a comprehensive action plan. In recent years, there have been ongoing changes in urban planning issues, with several plots defined as unbuildable. This is one of the main reasons why every plot of land for sale should be thoroughly checked by a qualified professional who will determine if a house can be built on it or not.
In every house building project, current urban planning provisions determine the conditions of the construction site. These conditions are defined by the official urban planning laws of the area and validated upon publication in the Government Gazette. Our specialized professionals will make a detailed study of all laws and provisions to determine if you are allowed to build on your chosen plot of land.
What to look out for when buying a plot of land
Urban planning provisions and legislation are just the firstfactor to consider in your real estate search. Below, we have prepared a detailed list of everything you should look out for when buying a plot of land: issues concerning land competence, building possibilities, as well as various conditions that will affect the construction and, as result, your life in your new home.
Conditions of Land Adequacy and Constructability
Land conditions concerning adequacy and constructability as defined by law, are the two factors that will determine if you should consider purchasing a plot of land in the first place. Simply said, they determine the possibility of building a house on a specific plot. When a plot does not meet these conditions, it’s most likely not suitable for building. Even in cases of exceptions, there’s the risk of a reduced construction rate. This means that you may be permitted to build a much smaller house than desired.
Construction Conditions
After the land has been defined as suitable for building, you should check whether the construction conditions, as defined by law, meet your needs. Construction conditions of a particular plot include permitted construction rate, land coverage, building height, distances from adjacent buildings and other relevant factors.
Permitted Use
In every region, urban planning laws define the type of construction allowed and its use, for example, houses, business premises, factories, hotels, etc. This is another factor to consider. You may initially be looking for a plot to build a house but, what if you decide to use your property for commercial purposes in the future? It is advisable to take into consideration both present and future needs before purchasing a plot of land.
Streams running through the plot
Checking that no stream runs through the plot is particularly important, as it can increase the cost of building a house. Why? If there is a stream on the plot or pretty close to it, you may be required by law to construct flood protection.
Plots classified as forest areas
The issue of Forest Maps in Greece has recently become a key factor in the real estate industry. A piece of land classified as a forest area belongs to the Greek government. In fact, there have been quite a few cases where existing houses in such areas have been demolished by law. It is therefore essential to make sure that a plot of land for sale is not classified as “Forest”.
High-voltage power lines through the plot
High-voltage cables going through the plot not only presents health risks but it can significantly limit the height of your house. In this case, it is advisable to look for other real estate options.
Slope & Soil Quality
Slope gradient and soil quality are two equally important factors when building a house. The greater the slope, or the lower the quality of the soil, the more difficult the foundation construction works and the higher the cost. Inspecting slope and soil quality is a demanding and specialized job and should be done by certified professionals and companies like Smart Building.
Identifying Property Titles with a lawyer or notary public
Checking title deeds with a lawyer or notary public is especially important in order to avoid future complications. In Greece, there are a good number of plots of land with unclear boundaries or acquisition titles. This can cause significant problems with the neighbors.
Pending government decisions concerning the plot of land
Before purchasing a plot of land, it is essential to conduct a thorough search for possible pending matters addressed to the Ministry for the Environment Physical Planning and Public Works or other government bodies. This is an absolutely necessary process that usually takes a long time.
Future value of the plot
The last factor to take into consideration when choosing a plot of land for a new house, is its future value. Even if you just want to build a house to live in, buying land is still an investment that can turn out to be very profitable in the future. Factors that affect the future value of a plot of land include plans for the overall upgrading of the area and upcoming infrastructure projects.
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