The most difficult part of building your home is often finding a suitable piece of land. You’ll need to be patient, persistent and open-minded.
Try a variety of ideas and methods to increase your chances of finding your perfect plot. Here are some of the best ideas to get you started.
Ask around
You can tell your friends and family that you are looking for a property. Search local and regional newspapers classifieds. Post a Plot Wanted ad on community message boards or check local message boards. Talk to locals in the area where you are interested in building. You never know if they have a large garden plot or a house that is about to be destroyed.
Search online databases
You can find plots on sites such as Plotsearch, Plotfinder or Plotbrowser. You can search for land only on real estate portals such as Rightmove and Zoopla. When ready to build, consider Cotswold Builders like Bay Tree Homes.
Auctions of Land and Property
Finding a plot can be easy with auctions. UK Auction List allows you to search for plots that are going up for auction throughout the country. You should visit the plot and research the planning history with the local authority to be fully informed before you make a bid. You must contact the auctioneer before auction day to let them know you intend to bid. Before the auction, you’ll need to arrange finance and have a lawyer in place.
Demolish
It can be more cost-effective to demolish an existing house and build a new one, especially in the most expensive areas of the UK. For example, a badly built detached home on a large plot. To ensure that the property you are considering is suitable, it’s best to consult the local planning department.
Right to Build Registration
Sign up for your local Right to Build Register if you live in England. The legislation puts pressure on local councils to provide more land for self-builds in your area, if the register shows demand. Since the registers were launched in 2016, there have been more than 33,000 signups.
Estate agents
Local estate agents may not sell many plots, but they have good connections with landowners, property developers or Cotswold Builders. They might know about sites that are suitable for plots like large gardens and dilapidated houses.
Planning permission
Don’t forget to ask the local planning department if the plot you are considering has planning permission. Never buy a plot if you don’t have planning permission.
