There are many things to consider when choosing a lot for a new home. Good schools, commuter routes and a good neighborhood are important, but there are also other considerations specific to green buildings. While some issues may not be a priority when you build the home, they may be important later, and to any future buyers.

The first, and most important factor, is to make sure the land has been approved for building. The local authorities should already have conducted the required tests and approved the land.Confused? Here ‘s a little help . Not every site is approved for building, so if you buy a parcel of land before it is approved, then you risk the application for building permission being rejected.

There are also elements of site selection specific to green buildings. The site and orientation of the building determine how much sun it will receive and, therefore, home much energy any solar panels will generate. A few degrees change in orientation can aid a building in heating and cooling, so make sure the site allows you to set the house at its most efficient angle. Hills and other geographic features can block sunlight, which may prevent your home from being as efficient as it could be.

Location is important in real estate, so choosing a lot which has good schools, has easy access to stores and is in a nice neighborhood is just as important as it would be if you were buying an existing home. You should drive through the neighborhood at different times of the day and on different days to get a true picture of what the area is like.

Check the lot for trees and good drainage. Run-off from rain could wash onto the lot, causing flooding and erosion. Excessive run-off may mean you need to spend extra time and money developing a water management solution. However, good water management can collect rain water which can then be recycled to reduce city water usage. Trees can provide privacy but they are expensive to remove and can become dangerous during windy or snowy weather. Tall trees may reduce the sunlight which hits the solar panels.