/diy/ - Do It Yourself

I'm looking for new house construction advise.
For the past 14 months I've been looking on and off to buy a house for myself. My budget is 350k. So far I realized that most houses in that price range not too far from work are crappy, and taxes are too high.
So for the last 4 months Ive been looking out of state. For the same amount I get a much bigger/better house with low property tax, big ass lawn, and the single most important thing to me, a 2.5 or bigger car garage. I wrench. I need a nice garage.
I have not been able to find anything I like. Stuff I found that seemed too expensive for what it is gets sold in 2 days. Im sick of driving an hour out 2 or 3 times per week to look at a home that gets sold before I can even think about them more. Doesnt help that 98% of ads do not have any pictures of the garage.
Ive been thinking. Is it better to buy land, and build a house? Timber frame if dooable. 3 bedrooms. 2 stories with a full basement. attached or detached garage. finishing and furnitureing. What am I looking at? Besides buying the land, demolition, getting documents, that aside. I have 230k saved up. my folks might help and gift me 40k.
anyone here bought a tearmedown and build something nice for under 400k?
how can I get in on new developed land and stake my claim?
avoid hoa
this will be around Kenosha, WI. I work near Chicago. Yep, I know.

> have loads of money
> build whatever you want
> pay to maintain it

What specifically are you trying to do OP?