how to choose a site for choosing a home?

Answer 1

Things to consider besides, location, cost, schools etc. are
Soil type, and how it relates to your foundation. Will you have to blast away rock?, is there a hard base below the topsoil<
Is there adequate drainage, or is it water logged
how far it is to hookup, water, gas, sewer, telephone, hydro etc.
Building restrictions on the site, how high you can build, max sq.ft allowed. exterior/style restrictions.
are there any easements registered.
is there a time restriction for construction.
these are SOME things to consider, there are others

Answer 2

Drive around till you see an empty lot with a for sale sign. If you can't get to it by driving around it'll probably be hell to get there from work every day.

Then walk around it, and see whether it's pretty level, or if it's got a hill for drainage, or whatever. Look at it on a map at the same time to figure out what's next to it, and try to peek over the fences to make sure there aren't any unpleasant surprises around... like a huge industrial site, or a supermarket that puts it's dumpster up against your fence. Get a feel for where the sun will go, and what, if anything, is in the way between your home plan and it. Stop by at night some time too to see if the lighting is OK or not.

Then talk to your insurance company to see if the area is in a flood zone, fire risk area, fault line, etc. They won't tell you unles you give the address, and even then they probably won't want to tell you, because they're looking for all those years of payments...

Answer 3

Hi - my criteria were:

Safe area, community feeling, green spaces, well zoned (no one could build a convenience store beside my house), walking distance from a bus stop, reasonable travel time to my and my spouse's work, close to reasonable schools and park, reasonable travel time to friends and family.

Physical properties:
If I had a choice, I would choose a site that was higher up than my neighbors to have maximum drainage away from my house. I would not take a pool unless I wanted the upkeep and insurance costs. I would prefer a house facing south so that the back would be shaded. Or you could have a house where main windows (either kitchen or family room) faced west so you could see the sunset in the evening. Check to see what utilities are already connected -- ie if you have gas appliances is the house connected to a local gas line.

Finally my criteria for the house itself was that it would be sound and solid structurally - no foundation problems. It's worth hiring an architect to evaluate it for you.

Best of luck!