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Q.
Why can you find plots when others have so many problems finding them
A.
There is a shortage of building land, but there are also a lot of plots that come up, as well as larger sites. There is also a lot of land that could be built on, some where the owners have just not got around to selling and others where there are problems of some type that needs imaginative solutions.
There are sites available all the time and at any time we will know how to identify and get details on well over 14,000 of them up for sale with planning permission and others with possibilities. However many of these will not be suitable for a whole range of reasons, and of course they are spread all over the country, so when it gets down to your chosen area without becoming proactive and creating new sites, we probably will only have a dozen or two to check out initially, however even this is probably far more than lone self builders can identify, and few in any event would meet their criteria.
The majority of self builders want a single plot, or perhaps they are looking for a double plot and then using some plot sharing service to try and find someone else who is interested in joining them before it gets sold. Developers normally want larger sites, preferably flat and with no problems. Large sites, with slopes or requiring unusual foundations or having some other problem is often not attractive to them.
As a club we have no such limits we can look at single plots, multi plots with small numbers of houses and larger sites. Very large sites we can look at joint ventures involving developers or housing associations.
The other advantage we have is in being proactive, we don't just wait for a plot to be advertised in the press or on one of the subscription services, but actively go looking for land that could become plots and seeking out every opportunity. Having members in the areas helps in that there are some tasks they can do to help us.
It is often a misconception that builders and developers have deeper pockets than self builders. The economics are heavily stacked in favor of the self builder, as a self builder can ultimately build on a plot and break even at a far higher plot price than a builder or developer can. It is therefore illogical to suggest that builders and developers can find loads of land on which to build, but there is none available to the self builder. You could build economically on any land that they can, and many other pieces as well.
Where the developer scores over the lone self builder is that they know what they are doing in both working out where land is going to become available and in sourcing it, and is often not limited by the size, or number of houses it will hold, generally the more the better. When we work together within the club, and bring in consultants to help us, we balance the operation in our favor. While there are a few areas where some developers may still have the advantage, such as in buying favors, the club more than makes up for this in its friendly and personal approach to individual vendors, and in its proactive search for solutions where the developer may just walk away. We have no problem with joint ventures with developers or others.
Smaller developers and small builders do have an advantage when land is sold through many agents, as agents would prefer to sell it to a developer or builder and have the job of selling the completed home, taking the larger commission for this as well. So unless you are aware of the land coming up, it can get sold without ever being advertised or the self builder being aware that it is for sale. For the seller this is also not ideal as often it gets sold at a cut price to the developer friend of the agent. The club rarely misses these opportunities in areas where we are proactive.
As time goes by we are going to be able to look at larger sites, at more unusual and interesting projects, and at other ways that plots and shells for town apartments can be obtained.
We have a range of other membership benefits, and there are a number of other reasons why club membership is justified, even if you already had a plot. However we see in the future the same high percentage of the cost associated with providing member services going into the various aspects of finding and proactively generating plots.
While finding the ideal plot for every member is never going to be easy, and it will take time to get the one that is ideal for you, we do not expect there to be a problem in finding you a plot in a reasonable time to meet the need you have. The amount of time it takes will depend on how specific your requirements are, how geographically limited and to a degree the area of the country. Generally the more members we have in an area the easier and quicker it will be to match individuals needs.
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Self Build Homes Club is an international club
and trading title of Self
Build Homes Club llc. Local services
to serve members are commissioned for the club by New
Atlantis International Services Corporation.
All major commissioned companies involved, have New Atlantis trust status.