The lot decides your budget more than the floor plan does. Here is what to check before you buy an acre.
Two identical homes can differ by tens of thousands of dollars based purely on the dirt they sit on. Before you fall for a view, walk the site with these questions.
Utilities and water
- Is there a public water tap, or will you need a well?
- City sewer or septic? Septic requires a soil test and a designed field.
- How far is the nearest electric service drop, and who pays for the run?
- Is fiber or fixed wireless internet available if you work from home?
Access, slope, and trees
Long driveways, steep grades, and heavy rock all add real dollars. A gentle slope with a natural building pad is the cheapest lot to build on, even if the sticker price is higher than the rocky bargain next door.
Restrictions that shape the house
Deed restrictions, HOA architectural rules, county setbacks, and floodplain lines can dictate square footage, exterior materials, and roof pitch. We review these before design so the plan you fall in love with is the plan you can actually build.
How land folds into the loan
With the VA One-Time Close, land is financed inside the same loan as construction. If you already own your lot, its equity counts toward the project — which is often why a veteran who owns land can build with literally nothing out of pocket.
Build on your lot with $0 down
Legacy Custom Builders builds VA One-Time Close custom homes across Austin, Georgetown, Salado, Killeen, and the Hill Country.
Check eligibility