Building A Custom Home? What To Look For In A Home Site

One of the first things to do when building a custom home is to find a place to build it.  Now that might sound simple.  But in reality it can be quite complex.  There are so many things to consider that may not even cross your mind.

So here are just a few things to consider when looking for your perfect lot (if there is such a thing).

1.  If you are going to build in an established subdivision, you want to look closely at deed restrictions.  There could be limitations on things like minimum or maximum square footage; architectural design parameters; maximum number of stories for the home; and the list goes on.  Some subdivisions will even limit the number of pets you can have.  Better make sure that Fido gets to move in with you.

2.  Public or private streets need investigation.  Determine who owns and maintains the street leading into your property.  Is it maintained by the city or county?  Or is it maintained by the homeowners living on that street?  Who maintains it is going to foot the bill.  Just know if that is going to be you.

3.  Is the lot in a flood plain?  Now don't rule out a piece of property if you find out that it's in a flood plain.  But do your homework.  It may be necessary to bring in extra dirt to raise the house above the flood plain.  And that can be costly.  But raising the foundation of the house above the flood plain will ensure that you can get the proper flood insurance without paying extravagant premiums. Visit the lot after a heavy rain to see if there is standing water.  That's actually a good idea even if the lot isn't located in a flood plain.  Find out if there is proper drainage.


4.  Find out what utilities are already in place.  If the lot is in the city limits of a town, you will likely already have access to electricity, water and sewer, and gas connections.  But rural property is a whole different story.  It is almost certain that it will be necessary to have a well dug and put a septic system in place.  And here's an interesting thing to think about.  Water wells have to be a certain distance away from other wells.  So if you have a neighbor on each side of your property, and their existing wells are close to your property line, you may not be able to dig your well.  So know where thy neighbor's wells are.

5.  There are costs associated with preparing a lot for build.  Soil testing, clearing of trees and brush, leveling the site, and adding drainage systems are going to factor in with the process of getting the lot ready.  Don't underestimate these costs.  Talk with your builder so that you can keep these costs in your budget as you move forward.

These are only a few of the items you want to keep in mind as you look at potential sites for your ultimate dream home.  Do your homework and you will be better prepared to take the plunge when the right property hits the market.

For more information about The May-Wall Team please visit our web site at www.MayWallTeam.com.

Hooked on Houzz

Awhile back I was introduced to a web site called Houzz.com and I have to say I'm hooked. The site is a collection of almost 2,000,000 photos of houses, gardens, specific rooms, pools, furniture, and the list goes on and on. In my opinion, the best option for viewing Houzz is through their mobile app on the iPad.

So here's how it works. You can scroll through the pictures and if you see something you like, just click on the picture to enlarge it. When you click on the picture, there is a "More Info" button that will give you ..... well, more info. Ask a question and many times the designer will send an answer. On many of the pictures you will find a dangling green tag. Click on the tag and product information will come up telling you where you can purchase the item.

Another great feature to the site is that you can create your own idea books. Just save the pictures to your idea book for future reference. You can even share your idea books with friends who have profiles on Houzz.

Need a decorating idea? Just go to the "Ask the Community" tab and submit your decorating dilemma to the Houzz community and you will get tips and solutions from other people. Looking for a specific product? Just click on the "Products" tab to find exactly what you are looking for, where to buy it, and what it costs.

What I like most about Houzz is that it shows you the possibilities for decorating your own home, condo, or apartment. Sometimes the "wow" is in the details. And Houzz gives you ideas for creating the "wow" factor in your own residence.

Experience it for yourself by going to www.Houzz.com and start creating your own idea books. But be prepared to stay for awhile. I'm sure you will be hooked as well.


For more information about the current real estate market, visit our web site at www.MayWallTeam.com.

Is Your Garden Really Green? Creating an Eco-Friendly Landscape Design

You may have the greenest lawn on the block, but is your garden really "green," meaning ecologically friendly? Often the answer is a resounding "NO."

Just the fact that you have a lawn at all can be an indicator that your landscape is not as green as it could be. Lawns generally need more water and fertilizers than other plantings. Plus, they need to be mowed approximately once per week in the summertime, and if you don't have an electric or reel mower, you're burning fossil fuels every time you mow.

What are some ways you can create a garden that is really green? How can you create an eco-friendly landscape design?

Be Water-Wise

When it comes to an eco-friendly landscape, being water-wise means not only reducing the amount of water you use, but also managing stormwater - water that falls during a rainstorm, on site. Stormwater often gets directed to a pipe as soon as possible and then directed to a river, pond, or sewer. But, it is possible to capture it, store it, and redistribute it to be used again. For example, direct the downspout from your rain gutters to a rain barrel and then use the captured water to irrigate your landscape.

Reduce Impervious Surfaces

Another way to create an eco-friendly landscape design is to reduce the amount of impervious surfaces on your property. Impervious surfaces are areas like concrete, asphalt, and stone pavers where water cannot penetrate the surface. The water that used to soak into the soil has to go somewhere. When water can't infiltrate the soil surface, it causes problems downstream and has detrimental effects on rivers and streams. Pervious concrete and asphalt have come on the market and offer an alternative to impervious surfaces.

Use Drought-Tolerant Plants

This tip is related to being water-wise. If you want to create an eco-friendly landscape design, use drought tolerant plants.

Go Native

Native plants are well-adapted to live in the area in which you live. Plus, they typically will provide a food source or some sort of ecological input that supports local insect and animal species.

Build and Protect the Soil

In most suburban and urban areas, the soil is terribly depleted of minerals and nutrients. By amending the soil with organic fertilizers, cover crops, and compost, you can support an eco-friendly landscape design and help protect the soil structure. This creates a more nutrient-rich soil in which your plants can grow.

Grow Your Own Food

From farming methods to transporting food, we rely on fossil fuels to feed everyone in the United States. You can do your part to reduce the use of fossil fuels, reduce food miles, and provide nutrient-rich vegetables to your family by growing your own food. You can grow a surprising amount of food in a small space, and wouldn't it be nice if you could simply walk out your back door and harvest some lettuce for dinner?

Get to Know Beneficial Insects

Many gardeners mistakenly think all insects are bad. If they don't recognize a particular insect, they go get the sprayer and shoot the insect with a chemical pesticide until it dies. This is one of the worst things you can do. Why? There are many insects in the garden that help keep the "bad bugs" in check.

Have you ever noticed a rose bush covered in ladybugs? They're probably there because they're eating the aphids. If you look closely you'll see them. However, if you see the ladybugs, mistakenly think they are hurting your roses, and decide to kill them with pesticides, you're actually creating more work for yourself. The next time the aphids come, and they will, there will not be ladybugs there to defend your roses. You have just inherited the ladybugs' job. To create an eco-friendly landscape design, you must understand your ecosystem. That means getting to know the beneficial insects in your garden and learning how to support them in their work of defending your garden.

These are just a few of the many ways in which you can create an eco-friendly landscape design. The bottom line is that you must work with nature, not against it.

Information provided by Market Leader