Every great self-build starts with a good building plot - in this new series, self-build expert Mark Stevenson shows you how to track down that vital ingredient. In this first instalment, he explains why plots are so hard to come by

by Mark Stevenson

PART ONE: WHY ARE PLOTS SO ELUSIVE?

Over the next 15 months, I’ll be taking an in-depth look at why land finding can be challenging in the UK and explain every stage of the process to make sure you don’t inadvertently buy a plot with problems. We’ll cover everything from where to look, to plot appraisals, how to buy a plot and how to avoid paying over the odds.

Plenty of land comes to market, but it doesn’t always match up to the expectations of potential buyers. Oven-ready plots that support your version of the self-build dream can be as rare as hen’s teeth. Good plots therefore sell fast, even at what may seem like inflated prices.

Before setting off on your search for land, it’s important to understand those dynamics of the land-buying market that can make it difficult to find and secure a building plot. As such, the main issues that you may have to overcome on your search, could include:

ILLUSTRATION: SARAH OVERS

SERIES GUIDE

This extensive series will cover everything you need to know to get the land you need to build the home you always imagined, from assessing a plot’s potential to paying the right price!