Residential land is a type of real estate property specially designated for housing construction. It is meant for single detached houses and also for townhouses, apartments, and other types of housing developments. The use of residential land is governed by zoning ordinances and regulations, which stipulate that the land will be used for residential development and that necessary infrastructure will be provided within the comprehensive plan for the area.
When individual buyers or developers seek to acquire undeveloped land for building houses or other residential structures, they search for residential land that suits their needs. Understanding what residential land includes, the effects of zoning and law, is necessary for any purchaser intending to buy a property for personal use or actual investment.
With this article, we will be looking into the most important aspects of residential land, types of residential zones, other types of land, purchase of residential land, and the differences between these types of land. Also, we will see the effect of Reliance Met City Development and how it is changing the residential opportunities where such towns are situated.
1. Types of Residential Land
Each type of residential land differs because it pertains to different housing developments. These types are usually set forth by local zoning laws, which specify what kind of building can be erected on the land.
a. Single-Family Residential Land
A single-family residential plot is mostly meant for the building of one house. These types of plots are ideal for individuals or families who prefer to live in detached homes, which come with a yard where they can have their privacy. Such properties are mostly found in suburban or rural areas, although some urban locations may have them too.
b. Multi-Family Residential Land
Multi-family residential Land is meant for the building of several housing units, including but not limited to duplexes, apartment buildings, and condo buildings. These types of residential lands are more often found in urban and highly populated locations which have a greater need for accommodation but do not have enough land to offer. Multi-family zoning permits denser housing, which makes better use of crowded spaces.
c. Mixed Use Residential Land
Mixed-use residential land comprises areas with both residential and commercial development. In mixed-use areas, residential units may be situated right above or to the side of retail shops, office buildings, or other types of businesses. These developments are common in metropolitan areas where people may want to live near their place of employment, restaurants, and shopping centers.
d. Planned Communities and Developments
Some of the residential land is part of bigger planned communities or developments that include the construction of multiple housing units with a designed layout. Such communities are usually planned to include features such as parks and recreational facilities as well as schools. Such large-scale residential areas are being developed by Reliance Met City, where residents can enjoy a complete lifestyle experience due to the developed infrastructure and community facilities provided in an urban setting.
2. Zoning Laws and Regulations
Zoning is perhaps the most important issue for consideration when dealing with residential land. These laws are set by the municipal authorities in a given area, and its purpose is to plan land uses within their territory and control the development in a manner that is beneficial to the community. Zoning laws dictate what kind of buildings can be put up on the land and also restrict the size, height, and distance of the structure from other buildings.
Zoning will determine if residential land is exclusively for single-family homes or whether it can host multi-family units or even commercial facilities. Most cities have areas zoned for various forms of residential housing, which include but are not limited to:
a. Residential Low Density (R1): Single detached dwellings usually with big gardens.
b. Residential Medium Density (R2, R3): Comprising blocks of Flats, Semi-detached houses.
c. Residential High Density (R4, R5): Large residential buildings, also known as multi-storey or high-rise buildings.
For a prospective buyer or a developer, knowing and understanding the zoning laws pertaining to residential land is crucial. For example, if a buyer intends to construct a certain type of building, such as a multi-family unit apartment building, it is their responsibility to make sure the land is, in fact, suitable for that type of construction.
3. Differences between Residential Land and Other Types of Land
Other types of land besides residential land serve a variety of purposes. All land types differ in the following ways.
a. Commercial Land
This type of land includes shops, offices, warehouses, and other commercial structures. Unlike zones for residing and living, commercial land is used for profit-making activities. Also, the zoning regulations for commercial land are often more rigid than those of residential land and may require permits for entry and construction.
b. Agricultural Land
As the name suggests, the main purpose of this type of land is to cultivate crops or to raise livestock. Agricultural lands tend to only exist in the country and highly rural areas. Such lands do not tend to have residential zoning unless the land is either specifically re-zoned or split up for development purposes. Likewise, agricultural land does not permit homes to be built on it. To do this, permission to change the zoning must be obtained.
c. Industrial Land
Industrial land refers to areas designated for specific industrial operations, which include factories and manufacturing plants. Such types of land are usually available on the fringes of cities to further reduce the impact of noise and pollution on residential areas. They have different zoning laws compared to housing land.
4. Key Considerations When Purchasing Residential Land
Investing in residential land comes at a cost, and this decision is very crucial as several factors need to be taken into consideration.
a. Location
The location of the land is one of the most important factors that determine its value. The availability of schools, parks, shopping centers, and healthcare facilities can tremendously change the value of this property. An example of this is Reliance Met City, which is a large-scale development that offers excellent locations for residential and commercial purposes used for housing construction.
b. Utilities and Infrastructure
When considering the purchase of a residential plot, it is crucial to ensure that it is serviced with essential utilities such as water, electricity, gas, and sewage. In some cases, utility connections can be very expensive.
c. Land Size and Geography
The size and shape of land determine its potential use and the extent of construction permitted. Of all types of land, flats are the most desirable and economical when it comes to development, unlike hilly or rough uneven lands, which are costlier and more difficult to work on.
d. Legal Documentation and Titleguard Verification
As part of due diligence, it is critical to make sure that the legal and title documents available for the property are authentic with a registered title. Ensure that the property is unencumbered, does not have conflicting claims, and that proper zoning is in place for the intended purpose.