The Building Site For Your Log Home

Planning a log home before buying a lot is a bit like putting the cart before the horse; however, a commitment of this proportion interconnects.

If you already own the lot where you plan to build, you must attend to the various land considerations such as septic permits, ingress & egress, covenant restrictions, etc. as well as building issues concerning the particular floor plan. If you do not yet have the land, you have additional issues such as budget and land desirability.

Before hiring a realtor, set aside some time to really determine what you need in your home site. Make a list of all features that would exist on the ideal piece of land. With the understanding that land accounts for 15% to $20% of the total budget, review the list and highlight your must-haves. Once you’ve put the pencil to it, prioritize and sleep on it for a while.

While looking at various lots, look for unexpected cost like clearing trees, building roads, septic installation, or perhaps the eventuality of digging a well.

Once you have a clear idea of what you want and what is within your budget, employ the help of a realtor. Often, home builders become so overwhelmed with options they lose site of important considerations; a checklist is provided for review.

Land Considerations

Choosing a spot to build your home is every bit as important as the home itself. Careful consideration and time researching is strongly recommended. Once you find a spot you like; study it. Visit the spot through the seasons if you’re not in a hurry to build. Take the amount of sunlight into consideration and familiarize yourself with any weather patterns particular to that area.

The location should be convenient to the particulars of your life. For example, if you have a family is the land close to a hospital, school, and fire house and shopping or if you work in town will the commute be a problem. Often these things do not become important until after the novelty of the move has worn away. Building a log home is a big financial commitment; once in the home, you’re likely to be there a while. Provided is a checklist to ensure attention to proper considerations.

access to the site
access to utilities
access to service and protection (police and fire house)
view and site grades
taxes and cost of living
typography and ground cover
Drainage
Space weather conditions
solar exposure
access to water
soil test
garden locations
natural hazards
Titles and deed
entry and mineral rights
riparian rights
permits

Some more general considerations include utilities and building costs. How desirable and useful the land is a concern as well any restrictive covenants and easements; environmental liabilities and long term road maintenance.

Crash Course in Real Estate

Our best advice concerning real estate is to leave it to the professionals. Research agents and seek reputable representation. When shopping agents and attorney, remember personality; when you commitment of this level, you must be prepared to trust their judgment. Use a professional Realtor so that hidden problems can be uncovered.

Be sure realtors are aware of any necessary contingencies that should be added to the contract. Four common contingencies are:

• Offers for land without sewer hookups contingent on ability to obtain permits
• Architectural review committee approval.
• Desired financing
• Deeded right-of-way to the property.

For information on cost savings, go to log home cost savings.