The
old adage that the most important three things to consider
when buying real estate are location, location, location
is just as true, if not more true, for log homes as
for other homes.
Many future log home owners spend years looking for
just the right piece of property on which to build.
Often, the choice of a particular lot comes down to
an emotional rationalization based on the fact that
it "feels" right. However, there are also
practical and legal factors that must be considered
before you make your decision.
Assuming you're not looking for property in the city,
you'll most likely buy in a rural area, possibly in
a development that has already been subdivided, with
roads and utilities. In any case, you want to make sure
you've given appropriate thought to the factors that
can affect your plans and lifestyle in your chosen location.
Some of the questions you'll want answered are:
Are there national, state, or local regulations
on land use, wildlife protection, growth management,
or zoning that will affect your plans? Is there any
legislation being considered that might affect your
land?
Is there a possibility that land around you will
be utilized in the future in a way that will affect
you — commercial development, timber logging,
mining, power lines, highways, or mobile home park?
Are there any controls in place that would protect
you from such potential problems?
Will you always have access rights to your land?
Does your access road cross someone else's property?
Do you have easy access to roads and highways if you
frequently have to travel? How far is the nearest
airport? Will your roads and streets be accessible
in bad weather? Who is responsible for street and
road maintenance?
Are utilities available at your building site? If
not, can the utilities be provided? By whom? At what
cost? If you must use a well, can water be found by
drilling? What is the quality of that water? If using
a septic system, has a percolation test been done?
Is telephone service available? Does your cell phone
work at the location? Is Internet service available?
High speed DSL? Is cable TV available? Or if satellite,
does your location allow for a clear unobstructed
view of the geo-stationary TV satellites in the sky.
Will you have relatively easy access to the facilities
and services you may need — groceries, drug
store, gasoline, police, fire department, restaurants,
liquor store, home building supplies, appliance repair,
pizza delivery, fast food joints, clothing shops,
and banks?
Will your lot be buildable? Can your log kit be
delivered to your site? Is it in a floodplain? Will
rocks and obstructions cause excavation problems and
extra cost? Is the lot so steep that special measures
will be required to build on it? How will rainwater
drain across your property? Will creeks and streams
create problems placing your septic system? Any danger
of flash floods, rock slides, mud slides, or forest
fires?
The
old adage that the most important three things to consider
when buying real estate are location, location, location
is just as true, if not more true, for log homes as
for other homes.