Keys to a great custom estate

Lots available in Elderwood for private estates.

One of the appeals of building your dream home away from the hustle and bustle of city life is the opportunity to add your personal style to every element of the home and property.

There's nothing cookie cutter about a private estate. It really is a blank canvass. And if that is what you are looking for, there are many great sites for that dream home of your own.

But building a custom home, especially away from the city presents its own unique set of challenges. Here are some of the things you will want to consider when building a home from scratch:

Location: As with any real estate decision, location is a key factor. Not only will it be a determining consideration of value now, but also well into the future. When building on acreage outside of the city be sure you know what other development may be planned for the future. In our area you will want to know what kind of farm activity is in the vicinity, and if there are plans for change or expansion.

Site improvements: Is the site ready for construction? How much will it cost to prepare it for construction and the other improvements you will need to make it acceptable to you? You will likely want to consult a contractor as part of your buying decision.

Topography: Part of what it will take the make the site construction ready will depend on its topography. But you will also want to consider the topography for other reasons. Depending on the elevation, rain or snow may become a factor in your happiness with the site. Hilltop sites are susceptible to breezes and gusts of wind. Sites on flatland near row crops can also be subject to dusty breezes. Imagine what it will be to live on site through all the seasons.

There are many other considerations we would be happy to walk you through. There are plenty of open sites to choose from, so give us a call. Call Ruben Olguin (559) 280-9384, or Vincent Ingrao (559) 799-9165.