What a Lot Premium Buys on a Wooded One-Acre Homesite

At Oaks of Tyrone, every homesite is a full wooded one-acre lot on Timber Trail in Tyrone Township, Michigan, and a standard one is included in each home package. Beyond that included standard lot, some homesites carry a lot premium ranging from $0 to $50,000, based on position, views, and privacy. This guide explains what a premium actually pays for, when it is worth it, and how to compare wooded one-acre lots before you choose.

A lot premium is the additional price attached to a specific homesite, on top of the base home package. Because each wooded acre at Oaks of Tyrone is different, the builder prices lots to reflect what each one offers. Understanding why those differences matter helps you spend confidently, whether you choose a premium lot or a standard one.

What exactly is a lot premium?

In new construction, a builder sets a base price for each home package, which includes a standard homesite. A lot premium is the additional amount charged for homesites that offer something a little extra, such as a corner position, a deeper tree canopy, a view corridor, or more privacy from the street and neighbors. The premium is spelled out on the lot premiums page so buyers can compare lots directly before choosing.

At Oaks of Tyrone, premiums run from $0 to $50,000. A $0 lot is a wooded one-acre homesite that is part of the base package with no added charge. A lot at the higher end of the range typically carries one of the most desirable attributes in the community, such as a private setting that backs to a wooded preserve or a premium tree canopy that mostly surrounds the build site.

What a premium pays for on a wooded acre

The specific things that drive a premium at a community like this are the same attributes buyers tend to value most, because each one affects how the home sits on the land and how it feels to live on it. They include:

• Position and exposure. A corner lot or a lot with strong southern exposure gets more natural light, and a corner position adds extra side yard and separation.
• Tree canopy and privacy. Lots ringed by mature oaks or backing to a wooded preserve offer built-in privacy and shade without a fence.
• View and setting. A lot with a clear view corridor, a gentle rolling slope, or a natural buffer from the road tends to carry a higher premium.
• Ease of building. A flat, well-drained build site can be simpler and faster to develop than one requiring more site work, and that convenience is reflected in the lot price.

These are property attributes, not judgments about who should live where. Every homesite at Oaks of Tyrone is a full wooded acre with mature trees preserved, and every one supports a custom home. The premium simply reflects the physical characteristics that make some lots more distinctive or convenient than others.

How the starting price and the premium work together

At Oaks of Tyrone, home packages start at $629,900 for the Firethorn ranch plan, with the standard lot included. If you choose a homesite with a premium, that amount is added to the package price. For example, a $25,000 premium on a $629,900 package brings the total for that package and lot to $654,900. An outline of the available floor plans, including the Firethorn and the Oakview 1.5-story plan, helps you see how the lot fits with the home you want to build.

Financing works the same way it does for any new construction home: the premium is simply part of the total price you finance. Because the lot is included in the package, there is no separate land loan at a community like this, which simplifies the process for buyers who might otherwise piece together a land purchase and a construction loan separately.

When is a premium lot worth it?

A premium is worth it when the attributes it buys genuinely matter to the home you envision. If you plan to spend most of your time outdoors on a private, tree-lined acre, a lot that backs to a wooded preserve may be worth every dollar. If you want maximum natural light through the main living areas, a southern-exposure lot can make a real difference in how the home feels year round.

A premium is less important if the attribute does not change how you will use the property. Two adjoining wooded acres can look similar on paper and feel very different on foot. Walking the lot, looking at it from the build site, and considering what you will actually use day to day is the surest way to decide whether the extra cost is justified.

Keep in mind that the premium is a one-time cost added to the purchase, while the benefit of the lot, such as privacy, mature trees, or a favored view, is something you enjoy for as long as you own the home. Buyers often find that a small premium buys a lot of long-term value, especially when the difference between lots is meaningful to them.

A field checklist for comparing homesites

Choosing a homesite is one of the most important decisions in a custom build, because it is the one part of the property you cannot change later. On a wooded one-acre lot, here is what is worth checking in person:

• Walk it at different times of day. Light, shade, and how the lot feels change from morning to afternoon. A lot that seems open at noon can be heavily shaded by evening.
• Note the tree canopy. Where the mature oaks sit relative to the house footprint shapes windows, outdoor rooms, and where shade falls. Big Sky Development's tree preservation keeps as much canopy as possible.
• Check orientation and sunlight. Which direction will the front of the home face? Where will the primary living spaces and porches get morning and afternoon sun?
• Look at grading and drainage. A gently sloped, well-drained site builds more easily. Check where the build pad will sit and how water moves across the lot.
• Consider neighbors and the road. Where are the adjacent lots and the street relative to the build site? A natural buffer or a corner position adds separation.
• Confirm outbuildings and fencing. Outbuildings are allowed and wrought iron fencing is permitted at Oaks of Tyrone, so a lot with room for a shop, garage, or defined yard may support future plans.

How the lot choice affects construction

Because every homesite is a full wooded acre, site work is part of every build. The building footprint is carefully carved out while Big Sky Development preserves the surrounding mature trees, which keeps natural privacy and shade intact. The exact site work, including rough grading and the connection to the community septic system with pre-treatment, can vary a little from lot to lot based on terrain, so the lot you pick is factored into how the home is positioned and how the build comes together.

This is also where a premium lot can align with your floor plan. If a plan has large windows on the main living side, a southern-facing lot with a clear corridor can make the most of that design. Talking through both the floor plan and the homesite together, rather than choosing a lot in isolation, tends to produce the best result.

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