Field Notes
Plain-English guidance for land, permits, building, and costly assumptions.
Field Notes are practical articles for Texas land buyers, owner-builders, custom home clients, and real estate professionals who want to understand the process before money, timelines, or permits are on the line.
Buying land before you build
Start here if you are evaluating raw land, rural property, infill lots, or acreage before making an offer or assuming the property is buildable.
Land Due Diligence
How to Evaluate a Lot Before You Buy in Texas
A practical starting point for checking whether a property is actually ready for the project you have in mind.
Read Field NoteETJ
What Is ETJ in Texas Real Estate?
Why extra-territorial jurisdiction matters when land appears rural but still falls under city-related development rules.
Read Field NoteUtilities
Water Access for North Texas Land Buyers
What to ask before assuming water service, wells, meters, or utility extensions are simple or affordable.
Read Field NoteDistricts
MUD vs PID: What Land Buyers Need to Know
How public improvement districts and municipal utility districts can affect costs, taxes, infrastructure, and future expectations.
Read Field NoteAlready looking at a specific lot?
If you have a property address, parcel, listing, or survey, the Lot Viability Review is the next step before you buy, close, design, or assume the site is ready to build.
Review My LotPermits, plans, and approvals
Use these when you are trying to understand what cities, counties, reviewers, or plan requirements may affect your timeline.
Costs
Building Permit Costs in North Texas
Why permit costs vary and what fees may show up before construction can move forward.
Read Field NoteTimeline
Fastest Building Permit Turnaround
What affects permit review speed and why “fast” usually depends on the quality of the submittal.
Read Field NoteExpiration
What Happens When Building Permits Expire?
What expiration can trigger and why paused projects need to understand inspection and permit status.
Read Field NotePlans
How to Read Engineering Site Plans
A plain-English guide to title blocks, site data, drainage notes, easements, utilities, and plan sheets.
Read Field NotePlan Review
When Plans Don’t Meet Zoning or Architectural Requirements
Why plans can get stopped in review and what issues commonly create delays or redesigns.
Read Field NoteAgreements
Development Agreements in Texas
When cities, counties, or infrastructure conditions can require agreements before development moves forward.
Read Field NoteBuilding, inspections, and closeout
These help you understand what happens after permits are issued, why inspections matter, and what has to be complete before a home is truly ready.
Owner-Builder
Owner-Builder Permits in Texas
What owner-builders need to understand before taking responsibility for permits, inspections, trades, and code compliance.
Read Field NoteInspections
Construction Inspections, Phase by Phase
A plain-English overview of common inspection stages and what each one is generally intended to verify.
Read Field NoteCloseout
What Is a Certificate of Occupancy in Texas?
Why final approval matters and what can prevent occupancy even when construction looks finished.
Read Field NoteTimeline
How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home?
A North Texas timeline overview from land, design, permitting, construction, inspections, and closeout.
Read Field NoteNot sure which article applies to your situation?
Use the Start Here page to choose the path that matches where you are: buying land, preparing to build, owner-building, closeout, or advising clients.