House Boat3

Zoning In

Once you understand what is important to you, gain an understanding of your local area’s land-use plans and zoning requirements. Otherwise you could end up buying a beautifully wooded, tranquil lot that is slated to be four blocks from a new six-land road and strip-mall - one that’s suddenly a lot harder to sell than you anticipated ten years earlier.You can usually review these ordinances by visiting your city hall.

Next you need to know if the local building authority and/or subdivision have requirements regarding the type of house that can be built in that area, and how the land can be used. Land use and and house style restrictions can surprise you — down to such

seemingly odd things as the city prescribing the maximum width of roof eaves.

Questions to ask include:

-What are the lot setbacks, and will you be able to fit the house you want on that lot?

-Are there easements into those setbacks to consider?

-Are there minimum or maximum requirements on the size of house in the area?

-Are there any restrictions on roof type, exterior materials used, or style of house? For instance, in some neighborhoods in the southwest United States require that homes have flat roofs, while other urban-infill areas across the country are drawing up restrictions against such roofs. It is also common to see subdivisions with Architectural Control Committees that require a certain amount of natural materials on exteriors

(such as wood or stone) which can greatly affect the price of the home you will build.

-Does the neighborhood association have any say over the type of house you are going to build?

-Do you need to pay dues to a neighborhood association? If so, how much are dues each year, and what do they include?

-Are there restrictions on the types of animals you can have? Or whether or not you can park a trailer, a boat or an RV on the property?

Lifestyle & Amenities
What’s important to you in your daily life? Do you enjoy biking and hiking on dedicated trails on a daily basis? How much travel time can you handle when commuting for work? Do you want to

be near family? Are certain school districts important to you? Do you enjoy motorized toys such as an RV, motorboat or snowmobiles, or perhaps you would like to raise a horse? Make sure you answer these basic questions before you get down a path with a certain lot that might leave you feeling shortchanged if local restrictions unexpectedly prevent you from satisfying some of these basic needs.

The Lot Itself

Performing a soil test can be a worthwhile investment to assess the viability of the land you are considering.

Things they should help you evaluate include:

-What is the soil type of the lot, and will it require improvements to build the type of house you want? If you

want a basement and your lot is rocky, you might have just signed up for $20,000 worth of blasting expenses. Similarly, a lot with peat underneath it can require $20,000 or more in pilings before you even start the foundation. More commonly, clay soil might require that you bring in some higher quality fill material as a base for your foundation.

-Where is the water table? If it is high, you might have water intrusion problems in your basement. Too low and you may need to pay more to drill a well to supply your country get-away.

-Are you on city water and sewer, or will you need to pay for a well and septic?

-Do you need to pay for water rights?

In the west, it is not uncommon for areas separated by just miles to have vastly different water rights.

-There is always a tradeoff between how close you are to main roads and your exposure to traffic noise. Be sure to consider that balance in order to find what is right for you.
-Are you near an airport? If so, what are the flight paths in and out of the airport, and are any new runways planned that could affect you? Screaming over airplanes while sipping your morning coffee is probably not your cup of tea.

-Is the land hilly or flat? If you like a lot of light in your basement, a walk-out lot is ideal. Conversely, a lot with

a steep slope may require you to build retaining walls you hadn’t planned.

Kevin Terrell is the Vice President of Commerical Operations for President Homes, Inc. Visit the website for President Homes, Inc. and learn more about [http://www.presidenthomes.com/
]Owner-Builder Programs