Land Acquisition 101: Tips for Savings and Success

Choosing the right land is one of the most important steps in planning your Arched Cabin build. The land affects your design options, permitting, total budget, and long-term enjoyment. These tips will help you make confident, budget-friendly decisions.

1. Research Zoning, Restrictions & Future Development

Before purchasing land, contact your county permitting office to confirm the property is suitable for residential construction.

Important: Do NOT describe your project as a “kit home.” Many counties do not classify kit homes as permanent structures. Instead say:

“You will be building a home with structural steel components and a metal roof.”

This accurately represents an Arched Cabin as a permanent, engineered structure.

Confirm:

Minimum square footage rules
Setback requirements
Metal building allowances
Future county development plans

2. Review Deed Restrictions, HOA Rules, and Architectural Requirements Carefully

Restrictions may limit:

Structure size
Exterior materials or finishes
Roof style or color
Outbuildings or ADUs
Driveway placement or fencing rules

Tip: Ask your realtor to filter for land with no deed restrictions and no HOA.

3. Understand Access & Easements

Verify:

Legal deeded access
Road meets county standards for permitting
No restrictive easements limiting build locations or utilities

4. Verify Utilities or Plan for Off-Grid Solutions

Check:

Water: well or municipal
Sewer: septic suitability
Electric: reasonable distance to power source
Off-grid power options if applicable

5. Review Soil Conditions, Topography & Flood Zones

Evaluate:

Drainage
Soil type
Slope
Flood-zone status

Discounted land partially in a flood zone may still work with tall pier-and-beam foundations. Visit after heavy rain to observe water flow and get elevation surveys to calculate how high the foundation would need to be set.

6. Money-Saving Tips & Best-Case Scenarios for Land Buyers

Best-case conditions:

Flat or gently sloped land
Good drainage
Minimal tree clearing required
Utilities at the road
Existing driveway or culvert
No deed restrictions or HOA
Dry buildable areas even on imperfect parcels

Money-saving strategies:

Explore county tax lien auctions
Consider overlooked lots (irregular shape, partial flood zone, clearing needed)
Choose land with utilities already nearby
Buy before improvements add cost
Negotiate using survey or soil findings

7. Walk the Property—More Than Once

Visit:

At different times of day
In different weather conditions
After substantial rain

Check:

Drainage patterns
Sun exposure
Property boundaries
Noise levels
Wildlife activity

8. Know Your Neighbors

Meeting neighbors can reveal helpful insights about the area, but always fact‑check what they tell you. Some may discourage building even when it is allowed. A neighbor once told us we could not get septic or build at all—both claims were false.

9. Work With Local Professionals

Your team may include:

A land-savvy realtor
A surveyor
Soil/septic engineer
Title company
County permitting office staff

Their combined expertise helps prevent delays and unexpected expenses.

Finding the right land for your Arched Cabin doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By understanding the above important points you can secure a property that aligns with your vision and your budget. We’ve made it even easier to make sure all bases are covered with the following downloadable and fillable pdf checklist: Download Checklist