Purchase a land, Plan Purchase and Customization

[Thomas Sbahtu]

I recently purchased a 2500 sq ft lot on level ground, situated between two existing houses. As a civil engineer with expertise in road design, I am now looking to shift my focus to land development. Based on my calculations and preliminary research, I have found that the Bay Area offers good returns from developing land, although acquiring level land and obtaining permits can be challenging.

I have a few questions:

1. 1) Is it recommended to purchase a complete house plan from online sources like ePlans or similar websites and then customize the architectural design before submitting it to the municipality?
2. 2) I am trying to minimize expenses and explore the possibility of securing a construction loan. What would you recommend as the most cost-effective approach to obtaining all the necessary elements for a building permit?

Your insights and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,