How Much Does It Cost to Buy an Acre of Land in Alachua County?

If you want to design and build a custom home in Alachua County, the first step is acquiring land for your dream home. If you're searching for the perfect lot for your custom home, your first question will likely be, "What's the average price for land in Florida today?"

Your search will be best helped by contacting a local real estate agent to guide you through your search. A great way to find a reputable real estate agent is to tap into the network of your custom home builder. Regardless, having information about average costs will serve you well when you begin your search, so let's dive in! 

You may feel very strongly about the size and style of your new custom home and be willing to compromise on the precise address. Or, location may be the more important factor. Either way, the land you choose in Alachua County will need to be factored into your budget, so learning about cost is key.  

How Much Is an Acre of Land in Florida?

The price per acre in Florida ranges from about $10,000 to $250,000 per acre, with the median price per acre hovering around $35,000. Even with this median price, the cost of the land you're interested in will depend on these factors: 

• Location
• Characteristics of the Land
• Economic Climate

How to Choose Land for Your Custom Home in Alachua County

Estimating how much you should budget to purchase property for your new custom home is complex. Ask yourself these questions as you begin your search:

• What amenities will I want to be near?
• Would I like to build my home in an urban, suburban, or rural area?
• How much land will I need for the layout of the home I envision?
• How much can I budget for the land alone?
• Should the land I purchase be developed or am I willing to purchase undeveloped land in Florida?

The land's proximity to urban areas will place the land at the higher end of the cost range. Other factors will be how accessible the property is from the roadway, its accessibility to utilities, and how much development the land will require. 

What Is Needed to Develop Land?

No matter the current condition of your land, development of some kind will be needed to build your custom dream home. Undeveloped land will cost less upfront but will cost much more to develop and require more of your custom home budget. What could land development include?

• Tree removal
• Soil surveys
• Moisture and/or toxicity mitigation
• Demolition of existing structures
• Utility connections
• Leveling
• Excavation

Is Buying Land in Alachua County a Good Investment?

Land in Florida is considered a very wise investment, especially because the cost per acre in Florida is affordable despite having a large population and strong economy. 

Currently, the housing market trends and economic stability of the state point to Florida as a great place to invest. However, there are things you should keep in mind to avoid costly mistakes when you are searching for land for sale in Alachua County:

1. Forces of Nature

Every state, and even every specific region within a state, has its unique environmental conditions. In Florida, hurricanes and flooding are possibilities, so make sure you practice due diligence and research the area before you purchase land for your custom Florida home. 

2. Wetlands and Floodplains

Some water features, such as lakes, creeks, and ponds, can potentially increase the value of a property in Alachua County; while others, such as wetlands and marshes, can potentially decrease the value. They can also complicate the home-building process. As for floodplains, a majority of the state is considered a flood zone because it’s so close to sea level.

You can check the FEMA Flood Map or GIS map for different areas of Alachua County to determine the exact flood risk for the property you’re considering. Developing land within these areas will affect the timeline of your custom home build to ensure it's safe and will stand the test of time. 

3. Zoning and Land Use

Every piece of land in Alachua County is zoned for a particular use, whether it be commercial, residential, or agricultural. While researching property lots, look for those that are already designated as residential or could easily be rezoned. Your real estate agent should be knowledgeable about zoning and can help you find land that's properly zoned. You should also investigate other zoning codes and subdivision requirements that could influence or limit your new home build.

4. Homeowners Associations

For suburban land that is part of a development or established neighborhood, it's likely that there is a homeowners association (HOA) or property owners association (POA) that can dictate the design of your custom home.

These bodies often have unique guidelines, restrictions, and property use rules that govern new construction or renovations. This will require you to make sure the size and style of house you envision are suitable for the surrounding neighborhood or community.

5. Utilities and Access

Land for sale in Alachua County may or may not have access to municipal utilities.  If the land you’re buying is within a developed subdivision, you may have easy access to water and power, with only a connection fee to cover.

If you want to purchase rural farmland, getting hooked up to public utilities will be more time-consuming and costly. Some rural properties don’t have legal road access, which means you will need to develop a private access road or negotiate with neighbors to cross through their property. 

Building a Custom Home in Alachua County

There are several long-term benefits to purchasing land and building a new custom home in Alachua County. You will have significant control over the location of your home, your proximity to work and other amenities, and you can design a home that is personalized to your precise specifications, in your budget. Custom home building is also highly complex, and you will want a team by your side that can help streamline and optimize the process.

At Robinson Renovation & Custom Homes, we handle your whole project from start to finish by providing comprehensive design-build services. You will have access to our full team’s wide range of knowledge and skills to help you develop, design, and construct a new custom home. Contact us to schedule a consultation and let's begin your custom home-building journey together.