Home Building Tips for Springfield Area? (real estate, new house, buying)

[Amerikrainian]

Hey everybody,

I'm looking into the Springfield area as a place to relocate my family. When searching realtor.com, I see lots of great houses in the area, with 1+ acres, for $130k+. But I'm also wondering about building (if we can afford it--not sure). Does anybody have any regional input about this?

1) Tips for knowing what is and isn't a good parcel?
2) Ideas of costs to install utilities, septic, well?
3) Are any of the towns near Springfield more strict than others?

If I buy land, I sure would like 2-5 acres or more. What's a good deal? I see prices from $20k to $40k+ (I didn't look higher than $50k). I don't want to be more than 20 miles from Springfield, and probably less is better.

Thanks for the help.

[Arrby]

In the Springfield area, only Greene and Christian counties have building codes and zoning. Some communities do have their own. No area community has more restrictions than Springfield.

From Springfield, land prices are highest to the south and east, lower to the west, much lower to the north.

Well and septic are going to cost $15,000 to $20,000. Bringing electricity will cost maybe $1000 to $1500 a pole - it depends upon the supplier. Natural gas is not commonly available in rural areas, but if it is then it is a matter of trenching. Some areas allow a septic on three acres or more, some require five.

There is no possible way to build a new house for anything like what existing properties are bringing.

Consider the time factor in commuting, not just the distance factor. Not all 20 mile commutes are created equal.

[Amerikrainian]

Thanks for the reply.

To clarify, you mean that buying an existing house is much cheaper than building new?

And all properties under 3 acres must use city sewer?

I think we're looking more toward the south side (ozark, republic, nixa, battlefield, and further down. We still have to determine that for sure, but it would probably be in Greene or Christian Co.

Instead of trenching, isn't it possible to use natural gas with a cylinder in the yard?

[Cali BassMan]

Originally Posted by Amerikrainian

Instead of trenching, isn't it possible to use natural gas with a cylinder in the yard?

That would be LPG (Propane)
A more expensive option than natural gas. Typically most rural properties use Propane.

[Arrby]

Originally Posted by Amerikrainian

Thanks for the reply.

To clarify, you mean that buying an existing house is much cheaper than building new?

Yes

Originally Posted by Amerikrainian

And all properties under 3 acres must use city sewer?

No, in general if there is no sewer, you must have three acres, or possibly five (it varies) in order to put in a septic system. In other words, you will not be allowed to build a residence on less than three acres, and you may have to have five. Obviously if there is a sewer system, you just connect, although there will be a connection fee (sometimes a significant amount). And sometimes subdivisions have different permit arrangements. Make sure you KNOW what the requirement for a given piece of land will be before you sign the contract. And by KNOW I do not mean whatever the real estate person said.

[Amerikrainian]

Thanks for the help everybody.