Building On Sloped Residential Lots
DEAR TIM: I've purchased a piece of land with a gentle slope. Friends and family have said it is a bad investment as it will cost me $40-$50K to build up the ground for a slab foundation. I do not want a slab foundation, but a house with a ... [... more]
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Lots
If you have an inexpensive compass with you as you scout lots, use it to determine which direction your house will face. Perhaps you want to have morning sun stream into a breakfast area or adjacent sitting room. Perhaps you want to avoid harsh ... [... more]
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Drainage
If you take some scrap cardboard and trace the different patterns of a topo map onto the cardboard and then cut out each pattern, you can make a 3D model of a building lot or piece of land. You take the cut out patterns and stack them on top of ... [... more]
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Topographic Maps
The point of the story is that just about everyone of these people never thought they would have a problem. Their houses and building lots didn't seem to be in a danger zone. After the storm and flooding were over, it was obvious that the damaged ... [... more]
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Topographic Maps Illustrated
Lot number 13 is actually the best lot. Note how the topographic lines are spaced far apart. If the lot was absolutely flat from front to back and left to right, there would be no topographic lines on the plot plan. The highest point on the lot ... [... more]
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Lots And Drainage
Many land developers sell lots using plans. These plans often contain lines that tell you what the lot topography will look like when all grading is complete. These lines connect points on the lot of equal elevation and are usually drawn in two ... [... more]
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Soil
Once you locate this division of your local government, ask for a county soil map. Usually these are books that are filled to the brim with useful information. The books often contain aerial photos which help you locate your street and often your ... [... more]
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Lot Selection
Of course, some building lots are worth more than others. They will appreciate faster. Why? Because the lots that grow in value at the fastest rate tend to have the highest number of positive qualities. A lot may have a great view. It may be in a ... [... more]
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Lot Selection - 25 Tips- Part I
Surface and subsoil drainage is one of the most important things you must consider. Vast amounts of water can move downslope through soil. If you plan a basement, the walls may act like dams. Heavy rainfall can cause water to run over land ... [... more]
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Lot Selection - 25 Tips- Part Ii
Fifteen years ago a woman who worked with my wife moved into a house in the country. It was on a state route which ran parallel to an Interstate highway. The house and the state road were about one mile or so from the interchange. Well, guess ... [... more]
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Lot Selection - 25 Tips - Part Iii
Guess what? Your fence might not be yours. In fact, your house might not be yours! It has happened. In fact it happened to me! Using stakes set by a surveyor, I once built a commercial building on someone else's land by 1 foot! It cost the ... [... more]
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Lots - Important Features
Zoning laws are very important. These laws control what can be built where. You need to determine if you can build exactly what you want. You should be aware how close a neighbor can build to your lot line. If you are buying an existing home, ... [... more]
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