Considerations When Buying a New Home

The City of Oak Point is located in North Texas, one of the fastest growing areas in the nation. While the pace of land development has slowed in recent years, even our Country Place known as Oak Point will continue to develop. While the City of Oak Point regulates development through zoning and tree preservation requirements, there are generally no absolute guarantees that the large open field or the heavily wooded property near the home that you are considering purchasing will remain that way in the future. To prevent one from buying a home and being surprised later by plans for the development of a nearby property, home buyers should familiarize themselves with these issues that can impact the property they plan to purchase or properties in the surrounding area.

Please note that this information is not legal advice. You should consult a real estate professional or attorney for advice regarding your particular situation.

  1. Zoning
  2. Future Land Use Plan
  3. Future Street Locations
  4. Development Plans
  5. Property Ownership
  6. City Limits
  7. HOAs, Covenants & Restrictions
  8. Other

Zoning

Contact the City to inquire about the zoning of the property that you are wanting to purchase and the zoning of properties in the surrounding area. Review the City’s zoning regulations and zoning map to answer the following questions:

  • Is the home you want to purchase in a residential zoning district?
  • Does the property border a different zoning district that allows a different residential density or other types of land use such as office, retail, commercial, or industrial uses?
  • What types of buildings and land uses are allowed to develop in the zoning district? Ask if the zoning restricts building height, size, or materials.

Understand the zoning of the property and whether you can build the type of home you want before committing to buy the land. For buyers looking to build a new home, zoning regulations also specify:

  • Building heights
  • Building setbacks
  • Many other requirements
  • Maximum lot coverage
  • Minimum dwelling sizes

Changing a Property's Zoning

It is important to note that the zoning of a property can change. A property owner can submit an application to the City to change the zoning of their property. State law requires cities to send a notice of a zoning change to all property owners within 200 feet of the property. The notice provides basic information about the change and the associated meeting dates. The City of Oak Point also includes a reply form with the notice to enable property owners to indicate if they support or oppose the change. The City also requires that a sign be posted on the property to inform the public of the requested zoning change.

After the zoning request is reviewed by the City staff, both the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council will hold a public meeting at which the public may offer input regarding the requesting change. After holding a public hearing, the City Council will act on the requested zoning change.

In Summary

The advice here is plain and simple. When buying a home, you are encouraged to do your homework. Don't neglect to understand as much as you can about the home you want to buy and the surrounding areas and end up being dissatisfied with your financial investment. While much of the information that can provide answers to questions about the above listed issues can be found on the City’s website, any questions may be directed to the City of Oak Point at 972-294-2312. No question is a bad question.

Paula Lavigne also offers some advice to potential home buyers in a Dallas Morning News article, published on Saturday, March 6, 2004. Read "Some Advice to Potential Home Buyers: Get the Lay of the Land" (PDF).