Decide on a Home Type

What type of home would you like to build on your land? It’s a great question and represents an important step in the land ownership and development journey.

Up to this point, you’ve probably considered things like location, climate, activities, and nearby attractions, but now it’s time to envision the kind of home you’ll build. Just imagine, in the not-too-distant future, it’s a place where you’ll spend plenty of time! 

So then, what kind of home is likely to work best for you? Which home type will strike the right balance between comfort, utility, and budget? Buckle up and get ready to think about what home type could line up best with your unique lifestyle!

Cabin

We put “Cabin” first on the list not because it’s the best home type, but because it’s the kind that many people think about when they picture building a home on their land. Typically made from wood and located in a remote setting, cabins are the ultimate in rustic-style housing.

Whether built as a vacation home, a home-base for hunting, or a year-round residence, cabins can be as simple or complex as you like. They can feature all the amenities you desire or they can be a great place to disconnect from the bustling world. 

Characterized by dark, soothing colors, A-frame roofs, crackling fireplaces, and peaceful surroundings, cabins are a popular housing type among those who enjoy the outdoors. But this doesn’t mean that they can’t be an excellent choice for those who prefer to stay inside most of the time. 

Ranch/Farm

No, we’re not talking about ranch- or farm-style homes (although those are definitely a possibility). We’re talking about actual ranches or farms. One of the best things about building on your own land is that you get to decide what exactly you want. 

If your dream is to have a ranch with livestock or a place to grow your own crops, you’ll want to take these things into account when you decide on a home type.

If you want to grow your own crops, you may want a cellar or a room dedicated to storing crops once you’ve harvested them. You may also want a “mudroom” for cleaning up after being out on your farm or ranch land, as it can be dirty work.   

Single-Family Homes

There’s nothing wrong with wanting a more traditional home type on your land. And there are many single-family home styles to choose from. That nice bungalow you drive past on the way to work? You could have something similar on your land. The same goes for that amazing Tudor-style home your friend just bought. Or maybe you liked the floor plan of the home you grew up in. All these are options to consider when deciding on a home type for your land. 

Some other single-family home styles include:

• Split-Level
• Mediterranean
• Cottage
• Mid-Century Modern
• Ranch-Style
• French Country
• Colonial
• Craftsman
• Greek Revival
• Contemporary
• Cape Cod

Tiny Home

For some, a tiny home is all they need. These houses, which are generally under 500 square feet, are affordable, unique, and include all the basics you need to live comfortably. In fact, there are even luxury tiny homes available for a fraction of the cost of a large luxury home. 

While not ideal for an entire family, one or two people can live comfortably in a tiny home full-time. In fact, many people do. Still others take advantage of the quick construction time and the low cost to build a tiny home on their land as a vacation property. 

There are a ton of style options when it comes to tiny homes, such as:

• Tiny Homes on Foundations or on Wheels
• Tiny Home Cabins
• Shipping Container Tiny Homes

Some of these homes even come pre-made, making it even easier to have one placed on your land. 

Manufactured Home

Manufactured homes are a good option for those who like the idea of a relatively fast and low-cost build but don’t like the idea of living in a tiny home. These homes, as the name suggests, are built off-site and then shipped in pieces or whole to the location and installed by professionals. 

They are generally much cheaper than having a custom home built on the land. When all is said and done, these homes are permanent and look like a home that was built on-site. They come in a wide range of styles, sizes, and price ranges. 

Mobile homes technically fall under this category and are also a cheaper option for housing on land you own. However, manufactured and mobile homes won’t add to the property value like a single-family home or permanent cabin would. 

RV

For those who heed the call of the open road, an RV is the best option. Having a place of your own to park your RV is an excellent idea. Set up a power source and a septic tank and you’re good to go. Then you can come and go as you please. 

Or, if you’re done travelling for the season, you can simply set up shop and enjoy your own piece of land. This is also a good option for those who aren’t sure what type of home they want on the property yet. With an RV, you can travel around and decide at your leisure what you want to do with your slice of paradise.  

Conclusion

Once you have an idea of the best location for your property, and the ideal home you’d like on it, you can think about the specific amenities you need. Then you can begin searching for land! For now, think about which home type suits you and your ideal property. 

Of course, there are other options that we haven’t covered, such as multiple homes for friends and family, and things like yurts or earth houses. Really, you’re only limited by your imagination. Stay tuned for the next article in this series, which will help you determine what amenities you’ll want on the property.