What is Build-to-Rent (BTR)?
There are many paths to homeownership in Northern California, but one of the most rewarding is buying a piece of land and building your own home. This approach gives you the freedom to choose the perfect location and design a home that truly fits your family’s needs.
At HiLine Homes, our Redding Home Consultants walk with you every step of the way, from providing you with a list of local land realtors to building a high-quality custom home in Northern California. Our proven process is designed to help you build equity and create a home you’ll be proud of for years to come.
Keep reading to learn how we make affordable homeownership a reality for families across Northern California.
Find and Buy a Lot in Northern California
Finding and buying the right lot is the first exciting step toward building your own home. Residential land in Northern California can vary widely by location, but with the right guidance, the process doesn’t have to be complicated.
By carefully reviewing lots for sale using the five key considerations below, you can confidently choose a property that’s buildable and fits your vision, without unexpected costs or setbacks.
And while many people believe they need a large amount of cash upfront to buy land, that’s not always the case. There are flexible loan options available that can make purchasing land more affordable and attainable.
- Find Land
When you’re ready to find land and begin your journey to build a house, it’s smart to partner with a custom home builder who understands the local market and knows how to identify buildable lots. At HiLine Homes, your dedicated Home Consultant will guide you through the process. With our extensive resources, you can reach out to local land realtors who will help you purchase a buildable lot.
Here’s what to look for when shopping for lots in Northern California:
Here’s what to look for when shopping for lots in Northern California:
- Review Topography: Choose lots with flat or gently sloped terrain. Lots with steep slopes may require extra grading, reinforced foundations, and drainage solutions, all of which can increase construction costs.
- Check Residential Zoning: Confirm that the land is zoned for residential use before proceeding. Ensure the zoning permits the type of custom home you wish to build, including height restrictions, setbacks, and density requirements.
- Avoid High-Risk Areas: Research whether the property is in a floodplain or wildfire hazard zone. Building in these areas can raise insurance costs and limit your custom design options.
- Verify Utility Access: Select a lot with access to water, sewer, electricity, and gas. If utilities aren’t readily available, you may face additional permitting steps or need to install systems such as a well, septic tank, or solar power.
- Confirm Clear Title and Access: Ensure the property has a clear title, free from liens or disputes, and has either legal road access or an easement. These are critical for obtaining building permits and starting your home construction project.
With the proper due diligence, you can confidently move forward with a lot that supports your custom homebuilding goals and avoids unnecessary surprises or costs.
- Buy Land
You don’t need to have significant savings before you start your journey to build a house. Getting pre-approved for a land loan provides a clear budget and helps set your project on the right track from the start.
Furthermore, land loans can often be rolled into construction loans, allowing you to combine both into one convenient payment for your new custom home construction. Once your home is complete, the integrated construction loan is typically transformed into your standard mortgage.
At HiLine Homes, we make financing simple. Our easy-to-complete Prequalification Form connects you with one of our trusted, approved lenders to help you find the right loan program for your needs.
Choose Your Builder
Choosing the right builder is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when building a house. Working with an experienced custom home builder like HiLine Homes means your project will follow a proven, efficient, and reliable construction process.
Here are the benefits we offer that you can take advantage of when you partner with us:
Sweat Equity Pathways
We offer a unique approach that has you involved in your home-building journey. By contributing sweat equity, you build potential equity upon completion, giving you value in your new home.
Price-Lock Guarantee
We promise never to raise the price of your home as long as construction begins within 120 days from the order date and the project continues with consistent progress.
Multi-Point Quality Control System
Our staged inspection process documents every milestone, from foundation to finish. We ensure your home meets or exceeds residential standards, providing you with peace of mind regarding quality and durability.
Prepare Your Lot for Construction
Now that you’ve secured a lot, it’s time to make plans for home design and prepare the land for pre-construction. HiLine Homes offers comprehensive services to help make your home-building experience straightforward, from finding land to the final walkthrough.
Choose a Home Plan
Select the ideal home plan that suits your needs and preferences. Do you wish for a one-story home without the complication of stairs? Or three more bedrooms to accommodate your family? Whichever the case, HiLine Homes has over 50 home plans to fit your needs for a single-family home, duplex, and more. Each home plan can be customized with custom and standard features to reflect your family’s style and budget. See our Home Plan Guide to know more.
Permitting
Meeting your project’s permitting requirements in electricity, building, plumbing, and mechanical work ensures it meets local building codes for safety and compliance. In this phase, your local building department reviews your construction plans and specifications before granting approval.
At HiLine Homes, we assist you in navigating city, county, and state regulations by providing resources on where to go and who to contact.
Land Evaluation
Once permits are secured, it’s time to prepare your lot for construction. This will involve clearing the trees, removing debris, and grading the land to ensure a smooth surface. Site preparation is one of the homeowner’s responsibilities towards building equity. For homeowners who prefer to hire for their site preparation, your Home Consultant will provide you with a list of local contractors that you can employ.
Once your land is cleared, our land evaluation services allow you to confirm accessibility, utility connections, and the slope of the land to anticipate potential foundation costs. By preparing your lot, homeowners can create a buildable site that keeps the construction timeline of their project on track.
Begin Home Construction
With your permits acquired and your lot prepared for construction, the building process begins. Your Project Manager will oversee the custom home construction, allowing you to focus on looking forward to your brand-new home.
Here is a timeline of milestones that we will achieve in building your affordable custom home made with skilled craftsmanship and care.
- Pouring the Foundation: We start with a solid base. Whether your design calls for a slab or crawl space, the foundation must be level, sturdy, and waterproof to ensure long-term stability and durability.
- Framing and Roofing: We build the structural framework of your home, including walls, roof systems, windows, and doors. This is also where you will participate in sweat equity by painting the exterior.
- Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC: Licensed professionals install plumbing lines, electrical wiring, and HVAC systems to make your home functional, efficient, and up to code.
- Insulation and Energy Efficiency: We insulate exterior walls, crawl spaces, and attics to regulate temperature and improve energy savings.
- Drywall and Painting: The drywall is installed, seams are finished, and the walls are primed. Homeowners choose their own paint colors to personalize their home interior.
- Interior Finishes: We add the details that make your house a home, including trim, doors, windows, and decorative elements.
- Exterior Finishes: Our building team completes outdoor features like porches and siding details. Homeowners choose and paint their exterior siding.
- Install Fixtures: We finalize the installation of lighting, plumbing fixtures, sinks, faucets, and HVAC system components to create a fully functional home.
- Flooring Installation: Our builders install flooring materials, including hardwood, tile, and carpet, to complete the look and feel of every room.
Please note that these steps are inclusive of a traditional build program. Our Shell Programs would vary slightly.
Final Walkthrough and Inspection
When the construction of your home is complete, a certified building inspector will examine your home to confirm it meets local building codes. Once your house passes inspection, it’s ready for occupancy. Your Project Manager will conduct a final walkthrough to ensure that everything is complete and functional.
Once the walkthrough is complete and any corrections are made, you’re ready to move in and start building memories.
Build Your Home in California with HiLine Homes
For nearly 30 years, HiLine Homes has been the trusted custom home builder helping Northern California families create affordable, high-quality homes that build lasting equity. Ready to start your own homebuilding journey? Contact us today for a complimentary home consultation.
