Jim Valentine on Real Estate
Though we can build year ‘round in the valleys in Northern Nevada, a lot of building starts occur in the spring when the weather starts to change. With that in mind, now is a good time to buy your lot so you have plenty of time to plan, prepare and contract for your build on that specific piece of property.
If you are buying a lot in an urbanized subdivision, i.e., curbs, gutter, sidewalks, sewer and water systems, then there isn’t that much to do in getting the lot ready to build. You’ll need to verify that you will be served by the utility companies, whether or not the connection fees have been paid and if not, what they cost, and you’ll want to verify that the CC&Rs, HOA regs, and anything else that controls the lot are satisfactory to your wants and needs of building and living at that location.
If you are looking at lots that are a bit more rural you will have to build your own water and sewage systems. These come in the form of drilling a well and installing a septic system. You will want to determine the approximate depth of the well you will have to drill as part of your due diligence process when buying the lot. Once in a while you’ll find a vacant parcel with a well already drilled, but most of the time you will have to find well logs for nearby homes to get an idea of how deep you will have to drill and what the soils structure is like. Your seasoned well driller can also give you a good idea of depth and cost.
Septic costs can vary according to soil and water level. If you are in an area with a high water table you might need an engineered septic. You’ll want to know this early on so you can factor in the additional cost. Some of our area has clay that will impact your percolation factors and could add cost. Do your homework.
When you get your building permit the county will most likely want to see the property corners. Make sure you have them identified clearly. When you make your offer you can have the seller mark them, or request a survey. If they are readily identifiable the survey may be an unnecessary cost. You must make sure they have not been tampered with. If you are looking for the corners you can get help with apps for your phone that will show you where you are. You might need a metal detector and a metal rake to find them if they have been sanded in. Pull the map that created the parcel and you will see what you are looking for, i.e., the I.D. number on the tag on the stake. Take some flagging tape to mark them after you find them – saves redundant work.
Make sure your access is legal. Some parcels have apparent roadways but not the legal right to traverse on them. If there are CC&Rs make sure they don’t preclude you from any of your current or planned intended uses. If there is an architectural review committee make sure your design thoughts fit your aesthetic desires and financial limits. Some have landscaping guidelines that can stretch these limits as well.
Find a good builder sooner than later. Ask your agent who is trustworthy. You don’t want to experiment with a builder, the costs and risk are too great if they are a flake. We have great builders in the area that will help you with the process and hold your hand along the way. They can save you significant time and cost. The sooner they understand what you want to sooner you will be on your way to having them create it for you.
Use the professionals available to you and get started with your planning. Find out early if what you want is feasible, within your budget, and on the lot you want to buy. Get your lot under contract and do your due diligence while you control it. Your work will then go to you, not another buyer that swoops in.
Building your own home is a rewarding experience, but the rewards are in part due to the vast amount of work you will have in the project. Invest the work and reap the rewards!
When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your Real Estate needs… Experience is Priceless! Jim Valentine, License No. BS-03481, RE/MAX Gold Carson Valley 775-781-3704. dpwtigers@hotmail.com.