Building a Home

The basic steps involved with building a home are provided below.  Some of these steps may not apply to your project. If you have questions regarding your specific project, please contact City Hall.

1. Review Your Finances. Building a home is a large investment. It’s also a large expense. There are many loan options available, which typically involves a construction loan during the building process, financed into a permanent loan after the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Permanent loans include Conventional, FHA, USDA, or VA. If financing is required, you may want to consult with a mortgage lender to determine which type of loan is right for your situation.
2. Secure a Lot. There are available subdivision and infill lots within the City of Lowell. A listing of active subdivisions is available at City Hall. Many lots are available through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which is used by realtors and can be accessed from websites such as Realtor.com and Zillow, among many others. If necessary, you may engage a realtor to assist you in your search. A list of local realtors is available on the City website.
3. Find a Home Builder. Selecting a home builder is one of the most important decisions in the process. It’s important that you find a builder that you’re comfortable with, as the process can take up to a year or more from start to finish. The Home Builders Association of Lane County provides a list of builders in our area.
4. Apply for Permits. Depending on the builder, you may be responsible for obtaining permits for your project. If applicable, the following permits and fees are required.  Payment is required upon pickup of your permits:

• Building Permit – Fees that cover the inspection costs for structure, electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspection costs.
• System Development Charges – Fees that cover the infrastructure cost of water, sewer, stormwater, streets, and parks.
• School Excise Taxes – Fees that cover the cost of construction for the expansion of school facilities to accommodate growth of the district.

5. Start Construction! Once building permits are approved, the builder may start construction. Inspections should be requested in accordance with the stage of construction (i.e. infrastructure, electrical, plumbing, mechanical). After the project is completed, a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) will be issued, which indicating the home meets state building code requirements and is eligible for occupancy.

If you need assistance, please feel free to contact the City Administrator, Jared Cobb, or Northwest Code Professionals.