Walking a Home Site

Know what you're buying

With over 40 years in the business of building custom homes I like to think I've seen it all. My first interaction with someone that is looking to build a home is usually when they are in the process of looking at lots or land to build on. Very often, as the builder, I'm consulted on the clients lot choice and enjoy helping them evaluate different home sites.

Before we get to know each other the first reaction from the client is typically, "Come on, whats the big deal?" when we talk about lot choice. Very often these folks have no idea of the potential legal issues, future resale value problems, and un-fixable problems and headaches that can come with purchasing a piece of land. Very often the assumption on buying a lot is: Make sure it's in a good location at a good price and you're fine! Nothing can be further from the truth.

Heres a quick story that is true. I knew a guy who had purchased a good sized drop off lot, several acres, a bit out in the county. It was a beautiful spot with lots of trees, no one around him, lots of privacy and well off the beaten path. He did his homework, checked out everything he was supposed to, and he got a great lot. So far so good. He had owned it for several months and approached me to build him a home. We met up at the office and he brought along his draft floor plans and a plat (drawing) of the lot. We chatted for a bit about where he wanted to situate the home. The lot was rectangular in shape and he was talking about placing the home at the front of the property, somewhat close to the road. I asked him, while looking at the plat, what was on the back half of his lot. Just trees, I think. he said. Youre not sure? I asked him with a raised eyebrow. Well no, see its really over grown and tough to walk through. The guy owned a couple acres of land hed never even seen! This was a very intelligent guy who simply didn't see the need to walk the property! We made plans to meet again the next week and I encouraged him to walk the whole thing in the mean time.

A few days later I get a phone call from this client. Turns out he took my advice and, after putting on some old cloths, he walked his entire lot. And towards the back lot line, hidden in plain sight, was a big gardenand not a flower garden. Were talking about a certain weed that is illegal to grow and own pretty much anywhere in the US. Not one or two plants but a full blown, cultivated and fertilized growing operation roughly half the size of a football field! Whoever was growing this stuff had apparently been at it for a while and they had tools and bags of plant food and all sorts of things around.

Can you imagine if someone else found that instead of him, like maybe the cops or his kids? That would be one heck of a thing to try and explain. Luckily he was able to call in the police and get it out of there. We had a heck of a laugh about it, and we still do, but it could have been a very serious and bad situation. He owned the land, see?

When looking at lots dont judge from the road. Get out of the car and walk the whole thing. Bring a pair of boots with you if need be. The above example seems crazy but it really happened in a good area on a nice street. Keep in mind that once you own the land you pretty much own anything on it, or buried beneath it. Other things to look for, beyond illegal drugs, are trash piles and old dump spots (especially 55 gallon oil drums), signs of illicit gatherings, busted down old cars, kids tree forts or hunting stands, and more.

Really keep an eye out for old pipes and pipe caps on a piece a property. If there is already pipes sticking out of the ground chances are there was a building there in the past and/or there may be an old oil tank in the ground. With all the environmental regulations on toxic materials you do not want to be stuck dealing with a rusty and leaky oil tank on a piece of land youve just bought. Dont get caught with a bad lot take the time walk the entire thing!

Walk the whole thing!

With over 40 years in the custom home building business Bill now maintains a website on New Construction Advice, enjoys sharing his knowledge and experiences and answering building questions of all types. Thanks for reading!