What to Look for When Buying Land
Start with the land, not just the view. Check where you can build, how you will access the property, which utilities serve it, and whether covenants or site conditions affect your plans.
Bring your house ideas to the conversation early. The right lot is one that works for the home you want to build, the builder you choose, and the way you plan to use the property.
Start With the Property
Look Beyond the Lot Size
Square footage tells you how much land a lot contains. It does not tell you how your home will fit on it. Look at these three features alongside the lot’s dimensions:
Shape
Consider where the house, garage, driveway, and usable yard could fit.
Slope
Notice changes in elevation that may affect how the home sits on the land.
Road Approach
Picture where you would enter the property and how you would reach the garage.
Bring your floor plan to the lot visit. Ask your builder to consider the home’s footprint and how it would sit on the ground. A plan that works well on one lot may need a different garage location or foundation design on another.
Walk the property from several points and picture how you would use it. Keep your ideas as questions until you have reviewed the lot documents and discussed the plan with your builder.
Check the Specific Lot
Confirm Utilities and Access
Where are the connections?
Ask which utilities are available to the exact lot and where the connection points are located. Then ask your builder what it will take to connect your proposed home.
Which arrangement applies?
Our residential lots for sale page identifies some Summit Point lots with a Centralized Bioclere System. Confirm the arrangement for the lot you want rather than assuming it matches another property in the development.
How will you reach the home?
Consider where the driveway would meet the road and how that works with your garage location and the slope of the land. Ask your builder about access for both everyday use and construction.
One important distinction: “Utilities available” does not necessarily mean the connections for your home are included in the building estimate.
Read the Covenants Before Finalizing Your Plans
Covenants are recorded rules for properties within a development. They can affect home design and other improvements. Review the documents that apply to your specific lot and addition, and ask whether an architectural review is part of the process.
Think through how you hope to use the land. Do you want an outbuilding? Do you have a particular exterior design in mind? Does your preferred house plan call for a certain driveway or garage arrangement? Bring those questions forward before the design is final.
We publish covenants and plat maps for several residential developments. Use the documents for the property you are considering and ask the team for help locating the right version if you are unsure.
Bring your plans, not just your questions. A floor plan or example photo gives your builder and the lot seller something specific to review against the property documents.
Before You Choose a Lot
Ask What Work Remains Before You Build
The lot price is only one part of a home project. Your proposed build may need excavation, utility connections, driveway work, and grading around the completed house. The work depends on the lot and the home you choose.
Ask the Developer
What has already been completed?
Find out about the roads, shared infrastructure, and other work completed across the development. Ask what information is available for the specific lot.
Ask Your Builder
What will my home need?
Review the proposed excavation, utility connections, driveway, and final grading. Ask what is included in the proposal and what still needs to be evaluated.
Compare the full picture. When considering two lots, compare the likely site work as well as the land itself. A builder’s early review can help you decide whether your preferred design makes sense on each property.
Bring This to Your Lot Visit
Questions to Ask When Buying Land in Bismarck-Mandan
A lot within city limits and a rural residential lot outside them may have different services and review steps. Ask which local office handles your proposed build and have your builder identify the approvals relevant to that property.
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What can I build? Review the lot dimensions, easements, setbacks, and applicable covenants.
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Where could the house go? Discuss the home footprint, garage, driveway, and slope with a builder.
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Which utilities serve this lot? Confirm the services and where the home would connect.
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What is the wastewater arrangement? Check the information for this property rather than relying on a nearby listing.
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What work has already been done? Separate development improvements from construction for your individual home.
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What will the builder need to do? Ask about excavation, connections, access, and final grading.
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Which documents should I read? Request the applicable plat, covenants, and available lot details.
Write down any answer that still needs confirmation. You should leave the visit knowing who can answer each open question and what your next step is.
Good Questions to Ask
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a lot will fit my house plan?
Take the plan to a builder and review it alongside the lot dimensions and documents. The builder can help assess placement, access, slope, and the work needed to build that particular home.
Are utility connections included with a residential lot?
Ask what services are available to the specific lot and where their connection points are. Then confirm with your builder what work and costs are included in the home proposal.
Can I choose my own builder for a lot you list?
Yes. You are not required to use a preferred builder for the residential lots we list. Review the requirements for the individual property with the builder you choose.
Should I read the covenants before buying land?
Yes. Read the documents for the exact development and addition before committing to a home design. Ask about any rule that could affect what you want to build or how you plan to use the property.
Your Next Step
Find a Lot That Fits Your Plans
For a broader look at the process, read our guide to buying land to build a house. Then explore the residential lots we currently list and ask our team for the documents and details on a property that interests you.
Questions about a lot? Call 701-712-8700.