Whether you are dreaming of building your new custom home tucked away in the forested foothills of the Canadian Rockies or on a wide-open parcel of land overlooking the expansive blue skies and stunning rolling landscapes of Alberta, building an acreage home is an exciting opportunity. However, selecting the right piece of land is a critical first step of the process, as it will impact every aspect of your home’s design, functionality and enjoyment. From zoning requirements to utilities and topography, there are several factors to consider when searching for the perfect place to build your new home. That’s why today we are diving into our top recommendations for finding the perfect property for your new acreage home here in Alberta.
1. Determine Your Priorities & Lifestyle Needs
Before you start searching for land, consider your long-term goals and the type of lifestyle you envision for your new acreage home. Consider:
- Proximity to Amenities: How close do you want or need to be to schools, grocery stores and healthcare services? Keep these distances in mind as you search for a property.
- Commute Time: Do you commute daily or weekly to work in a larger city center, like Calgary? Decide on an acceptable daily commute time and search for a property within that radius.
- Privacy: How much privacy on your property is important to you? If privacy is a priority, look for properties with natural features like trees or rolling hills to help enhance the privacy of your new home.
- Hobbies & Activities: Are you interested in gardening, keeping livestock, or enjoying outdoor recreational activities? If so, look for properties that will help to support those interests.
2. Evaluate Zoning & Land Use Restrictions
Alberta municipalities have specific zoning laws that govern how land can be used. Before purchasing a property, ensure the property’s zoning aligns with your plans. Check whether the land is zoned for residential, agricultural, or mixed use. You will also want to verify that activities like building additional structures, operating a home-based business, or keeping livestock are allowed. Lastly, research whether nearby areas are planned for residential, industrial or commercial development that could affect your peaceful acreage home and property value.
3. Consider Utilities & Services
One of the biggest things to be mindful of when searching for an acreage to build your custom home on is what will be required for the utilities.
- Gas & Electrical: When looking for a property, you will want to know where the gas and electrical lines are and how far away your home will be from those locations. The further your home is from those lines, the more cost these hookups can potentially add to your build. When considering the electrical lines, you may also want to engage the service provider to see if a new transformer will be required for your home. If so, this will be an additional cost to also consider.
- Water: Most acreage homes are not connected to municipal water, so another thing you will need to keep in mind when planning for your acreage home is what type of water system you will use. Wells and cisterns (or a combination of the two) are the two most common water systems for acreage homes in the Calgary area.
- Septic System: Lastly, it is also important to consider how sewage will be disposed of, and which sewage options are right for your property. The most common septic options include septic holding tanks and tanks with a septic field.
Check out our Planning for Your Acreage Home: A Super Practical Guide blog article for more helpful information on the utilities needed for your acreage home.
4. Access the Property’s Features & Topography
The natural characteristics of the land you choose to build your new home on will directly influence the cost and feasibility of construction, so it is also important to assess your property’s natural features and topography.
- Drainage: Ensure there is proper drainage on the property away from the location of your new home to prevent flooding or water pooling.
- Topography: Consider the topography of the property, knowing that flat land is generally easier and less expensive to build on, but rolling hills can add character, privacy or scenic views to your new home. Also ensure that your property is conducive for the type of home you want to build. Is there a slope on the property that will work well for a walk-out basement or is the property completely flat?
- Natural Features: Lastly, assess the natural features of the property and identify steep slopes, wetlands, or heavily forested areas that could complicate construction.
5. Check Access & Infrastructure
Another thing to consider is how long of a road or driveway you will need to build to get your ideal building site and how much the grades of your property will need to change to achieve that. Excavation and building a road can both add substantial cost to building an acreage home, so processing through these details ahead of time can help to determine which property will be the right fit for your new home, especially from a cost perspective.
6. Consult Professionals
Finally, when considering which property is best for you, it is important to seek guidance from experienced professionals to avoid costly mistakes:
- Real Estate Agent: We recommend working with a realtor who has experience buying and selling rural properties in the area you are considering.
- Surveyor: It can also be helpful to hire a licensed surveyor to confirm the boundaries of the property and identify potential issues.
- Builder: We also highly recommend involving your builder early in the process to help assess whether the land you are considering is suitable for your desired home design.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right piece of land for your acreage home in Alberta is a big decision, but it is also incredibly rewarding. By taking the time to research, plan and consult with experienced professionals, you will set yourself up for a successful building experience as you create a custom home that is perfectly tailored to your vision and needs. Remember, this process is not just about finding the right land – it is about discovering the foundation for that home you have always dreamed of.
If you are ready to take the next step in building your new acreage home or have any questions along the way, feel free to reach out to our team by calling us at (403) 606-2923 or filling out our contact form. We are here to guide you every step of the way and help make your dream acreage home a reality.