Dreaming of Building a Home in Rural Iowa? Here’s What You Need to Know.
Central Iowa is home to the fastest-growing metro area in the Midwest. While the Des Moines area offers many opportunities, rural central Iowa is also a fantastic place to build your dream home.
Maybe you know you’re looking for a slower pace of life, a quieter environment, and peaceful natural surroundings, but you aren’t sure how to get started. As one of the premier custom rural home builders in Iowa, KRM Custom Homes helps make your journey as stress-free as possible. Our simple custom home building process helps you design your home how you want it, where you want it.
Here’s a look at the common questions and considerations in the process.
Rural Home Building: It’s Worth the Extra Effort
One of the first questions you may have is whether building a rural home is harder than building one in the city. While the logistics can sometimes be more complex, the result is more than worth it: a home perfectly tailored to the landscape and your needs.
Building on an acreage provides a level of privacy and space that suburban developments can’t match. Beyond the peace and quiet, rural living often offers more opportunities to customize your home. Want to add a large hobby barn or choose specific exterior materials? Often you’ll face less strict homeowner association oversight than in the city.
All of these combine to make rural building worth any extra effort that it may take. When you work with a custom home builder like KRM, we do the hard parts for you to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.
Here’s a look at what you should expect during the process, and how your custom home builder can help you at each step.
Choosing Your Land: Picking a Rural Lot
In a rural home build, the land you build on is your first and most important decision. If you’re looking for a lot in an urban subdivision, it likely comes nearly ready to dig. This isn’t always true in a rural area.
When you’re looking for a rural lot, it may require clearing trees and brush, site grading and dirtwork, or added vehicle access. The land also may not be zoned for home construction. If it’s zoned as agricultural land, you will need to request a rezoning before you can get a building permit.
Another consideration when you’re choosing your lot is future development. Just because your home is currently in a rural area doesn’t mean that your surroundings will remain rural. The Des Moines suburbs are rapidly expanding into what was formerly the “country.” Keep this in mind as you choose your lot. Nearby cities may have a strategic plan where you can see their goals for growth. This could help you know how it may change in the next several years.
You don’t have to make this choice alone. Before you complete your land purchase, one of KRM’s experienced superintendents will visit and assess the building site. We’ll also help you think through all of the factors when you’re choosing where to build.
Don’t miss a detail: Download our Rural Builds guide to learn more about our process.
Key Cost Factors for Rural Builds
Depending on your location, undeveloped land in a rural area may carry a lower price tag per acre than a “build-ready” city lot. However, you will likely need to plan for site development costs that you wouldn’t need for a lot in a subdivision.
Along with the factors we mentioned earlier, here are some more considerations:
- Water & sewer. If lines aren’t accessible at the property line, you may need to budget for a private well and a septic system.
- Electricity. You’ll need to check if the site is already served by a transformer or if more poles and hookups will be required, which can add to the cost.
- Road or driveway access. Longer driveways require a solid base and proper drainage. We’ll provide upfront estimates for culvert installation and your choice of rock or concrete driveways.
When you work with a custom home builder like KRM, you don’t need to worry about navigating this part alone. We are able to help you get quotes for septic and electrical installation, as needed. Since every rural home is unique, the final price of some of these factors may not be clear until after the project begins. However, we strive to give you as much peace of mind upfront as we can. For the home itself, we will give you a price up front as part of your custom home proposal. We will also help you know what additional costs to expect from the site work. This helps you know what to expect before you sign any documents.
Financing Your Rural Home Build
Depending on your location, undeveloped land in a rural area may carry a lower price tag per acre than a “build-rCompared with financing a pre-built home, financing a custom home in a rural area may involve an extra step or two. That’s because, since your home isn’t built yet, you must buy the lot separately from the home that will eventually be built on it.
You’ll likely need to get a lot loan before construction begins, followed by a construction loan while you’re building. Your loan will then convert to a traditional mortgage once the project is completed.
However, navigating the financing process doesn’t have to be difficult. Working with an established home builder like KRM will give you expert guidance throughout the financing process.
More Planning Considerations for Rural Living
Before breaking ground, it’s important to understand how daily logistics change when you move outside city limits. Here are some of the logistics that could change when you move outside city limits:
- Internet & phone service. While broadband connectivity is increasing around the state, you may need to check to ensure you have adequate service in your area.
- Emergency services. Because houses are further apart, response times for fire, police, and EMS may be longer than in the city. Many rural Iowans choose to install home security and fire suppression systems for added peace of mind.
- Road maintenance. While the county handles the main roads, you are responsible for your own driveway. During Iowa’s frigid winters, you’ll need a plan for snow removal, whether that’s a heavy-duty blower or a local plow service.
- Trash service: Trash service isn’t always a given; you may need to hire a private hauler.
Don’t Navigate Your Rural Building Journey Alone
KRM’s extensive experience ensures a smooth and enjoyable build, wherever you want to live. We’ve mastered the art of navigating county-specific challenges to turn rural land into exceptional custom homes. In the last four years alone, we’ve completed 20 successful rural builds.
Want to learn more? Contact us today for a consultation or download our rural custom home building guide.
