Building spec homes under $200k

[Lauren McCarley]

I’m a buy and hold investor typically but have been flipping some lately in order to make cash to speed along buying more rentals. I’m also a realtor so I’m very comfortable with my comps on this area. I’ve decided to build a few houses to sell after getting a great deal on some land. I’m excited about being able to start from scratch to achieve a really good flow without the wasted space I see in many of the houses I show/sell daily. Should I develop my own plan with an architect that I could use over and over with minor modifications or is something on a site like house plans.com sufficient? I would like to streamline the process so I know exactly what my building costs and sizes are, using exactly 1 slab of granite for example, to maximize efficiency. 

[Brandon Young]

Are there any zoning restrictions such as setback, area, parking or height limitations that you should be aware of? What about local code regulations? Is there a local design review board you will have to present design drawings to? I would hire an architect to work with you through the process and produce the required documents and detailed drawings you need. Especially if you want to maximize efficiency, it's going to be really hard to copy and paste someone else's design that meets all requirements of your site: land area utilization, site conditions (grading, utility connections, entry points, etc.), etc. You will probably find that you will be able to save construction costs and get more (and more efficient) buildings on site if you hire an architect.