Why Richmond's Savviest Homeowners Are Building on Their Own Land (Part 1)
Richmond's most discerning homeowners share a well-kept secret: building on your own land offers advantages that simply can't be matched by purchasing in planned developments. These savvy homeowners understand that the path to a truly personalized living experience begins with controlling not only the home's design but also its location and how it interacts with the surrounding landscape.
At Keel Custom Homes, we've partnered with these forward-thinking Richmond residents to transform their parcels of land into custom sanctuaries that reflect their unique vision. While many homebuyers opt for the conveniences of pre-planned communities, those in the know recognize that the initial challenges of building on your own land yield rewards that appreciate for generations to come.
Why Choose to Build on Your Own Land?
Freedom of Location
Perhaps the most compelling reason homeowners build on their own land is the freedom to choose exactly where they want to live. Whether it's a peaceful countryside setting, a plot with spectacular views, or a specific neighborhood where developed lots aren't available, owning your land gives you control over one of the most important aspects of your home: its location.
Personalization Beyond Floor Plans
When you build in a developed community, you're often limited by predetermined lot sizes, home positioning, and sometimes even architectural styles. Building on your own land removes these constraints, allowing you to position your home to take advantage of natural features, optimize for privacy, or capture the perfect view. The home truly becomes an extension of the land itself.
Potential Financial Advantages
For those who already own land or have inherited property, building a custom home can be more financially advantageous than purchasing an existing home plus land. Additionally, you may have more negotiating power with builders when you own the land, as you're not captive to a developer's home packages.
Building Equity from Day One
A custom home on your own land often appreciates more quickly than production homes in developments. The unique combination of location and personalized design creates immediate value that can continue to grow over time.
Understanding the BYOL Process with Keel Custom Homes
Through years of experience, Keel has refined its approach to building on owner-owned lots. Our process combines thorough planning with flexibility to address each property's unique aspects.
Initial Land Evaluation
Before design work begins, we conduct a comprehensive evaluation of your property. This crucial first step helps identify potential challenges and opportunities to inform the design process.
"My wife and I had very custom-specific ideas for what we wanted in a house and decided to build custom," says Tyler, a Keel homeowner. "They helped us through the entire process from ensuring the land we purchased would be a good fit for the house, to designing the custom floorplan."
Our evaluation typically includes:
Topographical assessment: Understanding the land's contours and how they might affect foundation requirements, drainage solutions, and overall home positioning
Soil testing: Determining the soil's ability to support your home's foundation
Environmental considerations: Identifying any protected areas, mature trees, or natural features to preserve or highlight
Access evaluation: Planning for driveway placement and emergency vehicle access
Utilities assessment: Determining proximity to existing services and planning for any necessary extensions or alternative systems
Designing for Your Land
Unlike cookie-cutter homes designed for flat, uniform lots, a custom home should complement its surroundings. At Keel, we believe a truly successful custom home appears as though it naturally belongs on its site.
Our design process considers:
Natural light optimization: Positioning the home to capture the best natural lighting throughout the day
View maximization: Strategically placing windows and outdoor living spaces to highlight the property's best features
Land integration: Designing with the natural contours rather than against them, potentially reducing excavation costs and environmental impact
Future considerations: Planning for potential additions or landscaping elements you might want to add later
Virginia's diverse topography presents unique design opportunities and challenges. In the Greater Richmond area, we encounter everything from flat urban lots to rolling countryside parcels with significant elevation changes. Our design approach adapts to these varied landscapes:
For sloped lots: We might recommend walkout basements, multi-level designs, or retaining walls that turn a challenging slope into a distinctive feature of your home
For wooded properties: Our designs can incorporate existing mature trees, preserving their natural beauty while strategically clearing for the structure and optimal sunlight.
For waterfront or view-oriented sites: We carefully position the home to maximize views while addressing potential flooding concerns or erosion issues.
For historic areas: Our designs can respect historical context while providing modern amenities and energy efficiency.
This adaptive approach ensures that your home suits your lifestyle and maximizes your land's unique characteristics.
Navigating Regulatory Waters
One of the most complex aspects of building on your own land involves permits, easements, and regulatory requirements. These vary significantly depending on location and can be intimidating for homeowners to navigate alone.
Justin, another Keel homeowner, notes: "Their experience working with the City of Richmond helped us effectively navigate some challenges with the utility department."
Our team manages this entire process, including:
Zoning verification: Ensuring your plans comply with local zoning ordinances
Building permits: Handling the often-complex application and approval process
Environmental permissions: Addressing any wetlands, watershed, or environmental protection requirements
HOA approvals: If applicable, ensuring designs meet neighborhood guidelines
Historic district compliance: Navigating special requirements for historically significant areas
Richmond and Virginia-Specific Regulations
Building in the Richmond area comes with unique regulatory considerations that Keel has extensive experience navigating:
Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act: Many properties in eastern Virginia fall under these regulations, which impose additional requirements for stormwater management and environmental protection
Historic District Guidelines: Richmond's numerous historic districts have specific requirements regarding exterior appearance, materials, and even window placement that must be carefully addressed
County-Specific Requirements: Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, and Goochland counties each have their specific building codes and permitting processes, which can be significantly different from one another
Floodplain Considerations: With the James River and its tributaries winding through the region, floodplain regulations can significantly impact building sites and foundation requirements
Our team stays current with all local codes and has established relationships with regional permitting officials. This allows us to navigate these requirements efficiently while avoiding common pitfalls that can delay construction.
What to Expect in Part 2
In the second part of this series, we'll explore how Keel Custom Homes handles infrastructure development, our unique preconstruction system, and how we overcome common challenges in the BYOL process. We'll also discuss how our experienced team provides the guidance and support to make your custom home journey successful.
Ready to learn more about building your dream home on your own land? Contact Keel Custom Homes today for a consultation. Also, check back next week for Part 2 of our BYOL series