8 Things You Should Consider Before Choosing a Site for your Custom Mountain Home (Plus a FREE Mountain Site Evaluation Toolkit)
8 Things You Should Consider Before Choosing a Site for Your Custom Mountain Home. (Plus a FREE Mountain Site Evaluation Toolkit)
Jan 30 2024
So you’ve decided that Mountain living is for you. The past month you’ve woken up from dreams of drinking your morning coffee in the cold chill of the morning overlooking a stand of changing Aspens, the hustle and bustle of suburban life fading into the cool breeze as you contemplate your next outdoor adventure that beckons just beyond your front door. You hop on the computer and scan Zillow for available mountain lots in your ideal location.
But for most people — this is where the dream stops.
Choosing a mountain site for a home can be a complex and overwhelming process. Not only do you have to painstakingly find the perfect piece of property that fits within your budget and vision, but you also need an understanding of the complexities of site selection that could stand between you and having a mountain home to enjoy for years to come. While nothing compares to the expertise of a local real estate professional, architects can play a vital role in discovering creative ways to work with unique lot conditions — turning your vision for a home that seamlessly merges with its surroundings into a built reality.
Whether you’ve just started thinking about mountain living or have been thinking about it for years and are ready to make that jump, we’ve created a FREE toolkit to help you as you embark on this journey. We’ve compiled a list of resources, checklists, and insights from inside knowledge we’ve gained while helping our clients design and build their own mountain homes. By utilizing this toolkit we hope you can get a leg up on actualizing your mountain-living dreams.
Download Your FREE Mountain Home Site Evaluation Toolkit
Embracing Nature’s Canvas
Mountains can provide a diverse array of settings — from lush forests to vistas of snow-capped peaks. Choosing the right site ensures that every window frames a masterpiece of nature. Whether you dream of awakening to the sunrise over the Rockies or basking in the serenity of a pine-forested backyard, the location of your mountain home is an integral part of the decision-making process.
Maximizing Energy Efficiency
Mountain climates, while invigorating, can provide a unique challenge for the building and maintaining of a custom home. With the help of an architect and a great builder, you can strategically harness the natural elements and even use them to your advantage. The right site placement allows for optimal energy efficiency by discovering creative ways to capture sunlight in the winter months and providing shade and passive cooling in the warmer months. This is just one example of thoughtful integration that not only reduces energy consumption but increases the sustainability of your mountain abode.
Addressing Safety and Stability
Mountain living introduces geological and environmental factors, that when not planned for, have the potential for devastating results. Choosing a secure and stable site is paramount for the safety of your home and its occupants. An experienced architect can help guide you through the rigorous geological surveys required to help mitigate risk and ensure that your mountain retreat is resilient against both the forces of nature, and time.
Living in Harmony with Wildlife
Mountainous regions team with diverse wildlife, and the right site selection enables a more harmonious way of living. Considering wildlife corridors, natural habitats, and migration patterns contributes to the ecological balance of the region. Your home can become not only a sanctuary for you but also for the natural inhabitants of the area.
Future-Proofing Your Investment
Embarking on the journey to design your mountain home requires a long-term perspective. The right site — considering factors such as accessibility, proximity to amenities, and potential for future development — secures the enduring value of your property. Your investment appreciates over time, becoming a testament to the legacy of living in harmony with the Colorado landscape.
Checking the site conditions for our Treehaus project
Ensuring Seamless Integration of Utilities
The allure of mountain living is not only about the sweeping vistas but also about creating a space close to nature that seamlessly integrates all of the needs of modern living. Site selection carefully considers the accessibility and integration of modern-day utilities such as access to water, electricity, road access, and internet connectivity. Opting for eco-friendly utility solutions enhances sustainability, aligning your home with the ethos of keeping Colorado’s landscapes beautiful and enjoyable for humans and animals alike. While keeping sustainable solutions at the top of mind while designing and building your mountain home we can help ensure that modern living and the rugged Colorado landscape can effortlessly coalesce.
Navigating Legalities
Before breaking ground on your mountain escape, it’s crucial to navigate the legal landscape of land ownership. A clear understanding of property rights, restrictions, and potential hurdles is paramount. Early engagement of legal professionals with expertise in real estate transactions can help guide you through the intricacies, ensuring a smooth and legally sounds acquisition of your mountain home site.
Zoning Wisdom
Zoning regulations play a vital role in shaping the character of your mountain home. Familiarizing yourself with local zoning ordinances, with the help of an architect, ensures your design aligns with the community’s vision while complying with land-use regulations. This step not only facilitates a smoother construction process but also safeguards your investment by preventing unforeseen zoning issues down the road.
