Selecting a Green Lot

So you're ready to build that efficient and environmentally friendly home. First things first… Do you have a lot to build on? If not, I suggest you get one first. It's best to purchase a lot before you commit to a specific house plan. In most cases you can modify any house plan to fit your lot, but, it's much more difficult to find a lot that will always accommodate a specific house plan. Think about your lifestyle when choosing your lot. Do you have children? Do you have a green thumb? How much yard are you willing to maintain? How important is it to be close to schools, grocery stores, and work? These are important questions to ask yourself, as the old saying goes ... location location location.
Now lets look at the lot. How is the land situated? When choosing a lot with "green" objectives, you will want to take the path of the sun, the corridors of the wind and the slope of the land into your primary factors. Considering how the sun rises and sets on your lot will help you decide on which side of the house you want certain rooms to be, such as a sunroom or screened porch.
Many experts will agree that a gently sloping lot, with a south-facing slope, would be ideal. If your house was located midway between the top and the bottom of that slope, it would be all the better, as you would avoid winter’s cold blast from the north. If you can determine the direction of the winter and summer winds (they usually come from different directions), you can incorporate that into your selection process; since you will want a lot where you can divert or block the winter chill, but channel and exploit the summer breezes. Save as many existing tree's as possible. Trees provide shade in the summer months, but help block cold winds in the winter. Knowing what kind of views you have will also help you select a house plan that will take advantage of the natural setting of the lot. So, Choose a house plan that will best compliment the natural surroundings of the land.

Tips when choosing a house plan.

1. Pay close attention to the grade/ slope from front to back on your lot. I have seen a lot of people have such a high foundation wall on the back of a house that they paid for and with just a little more money could have had a basement , finished or unfinished that could almost double the value of the home.
2. A hard finished deck on the house will give a more perceived feeling of value over a wood deck that after a few years will look tattered and dilapidated.
Do not get wrapped up in the square footage as much as the finishes in your home. You can always add more expensive finishes to your house but it is very costly to add a foot back in that Family room or Den where you spend all your time. You have a tremendous amount of control of your final price with the finishes you choose.
See this home.