Just bought some land with a few trees on it!
10-21-2013, 03:03 PM
#1
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Just bought some land with a few trees on it!
I just bought 5 acres on a mountain ridge just below the Shenandoah National Park (Skyline Drive).
There is a clearing and excavation for walkout basement already dug out from the previous owners that were going to build a house, but didn't.
This is a view below where the house would be of a couple trails on the property going down through the mountain. This pic doesn't show it, but it's a small valley that inclines on both sides of the pic.
We have restrictions with a POA to keep things quiet up and the size and style of house that can be built. Hopefully by next spring I can thin out a few trees and start building.
There is a clearing and excavation for walkout basement already dug out from the previous owners that were going to build a house, but didn't.
This is a view below where the house would be of a couple trails on the property going down through the mountain. This pic doesn't show it, but it's a small valley that inclines on both sides of the pic.
We have restrictions with a POA to keep things quiet up and the size and style of house that can be built. Hopefully by next spring I can thin out a few trees and start building.
10-21-2013, 03:11 PM
#2
Race Director
iTrader: (1)
Wow congrats!
10-21-2013, 03:39 PM
#4
The sizzle in the Steak
Is that where you are going to start your moonshine career?
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97BlackAckCL (10-22-2013)
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10-21-2013, 05:05 PM
#8
Earth-bound misfit
Congratulations! That looks very, very familiar. 
The terrain and forest type are very similar to mine. It's nice that the clearing and excavation are already done for you. That will save you a nice chunk of change. Do you have a well already? Looking forward to seeing your build.
Looks amazing!
10-22-2013, 08:38 AM
#11
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Thanks all! There's no well or septic, but I talked to the surveyors and they said a well is no problem in this area and the septic was perked a couple years ago when the other owners were going to build.
Acres around here are going for $20k-$80k+ and I picked this up for under $5k (foreclosure) an acre. The land is paid for, but still valued at around $98k. This should help with a construction loan, as the load officer said they add the land value in on determining the loan amount.
I'm looking to build a two story, 3,000 sq. ft. with an unfinished walkout basement. I have a bunch of construction friends, so we'll finish the basement later on for a total 4,000 sq. ft. Trying to build this for $275,000 (with friends help), but it should value it in the mid $300k, so the bank loaning 80% should come close to giving me the full amount and no money out of pocket.
I don't see this starting this year, but in the spring as I still have my house to sell. I'll keep everyone updated whenever the build starts.
Acres around here are going for $20k-$80k+ and I picked this up for under $5k (foreclosure) an acre. The land is paid for, but still valued at around $98k. This should help with a construction loan, as the load officer said they add the land value in on determining the loan amount.
I'm looking to build a two story, 3,000 sq. ft. with an unfinished walkout basement. I have a bunch of construction friends, so we'll finish the basement later on for a total 4,000 sq. ft. Trying to build this for $275,000 (with friends help), but it should value it in the mid $300k, so the bank loaning 80% should come close to giving me the full amount and no money out of pocket.
I don't see this starting this year, but in the spring as I still have my house to sell. I'll keep everyone updated whenever the build starts.
10-22-2013, 08:53 AM
#12
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
Awesome!
10-22-2013, 09:20 AM
#13
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Nice tract of land you got there 
You and wndr make me jealous with your beautiful wooded properties
You and wndr make me jealous with your beautiful wooded properties
10-22-2013, 10:06 AM
#14
Earth-bound misfit
That's a fantastic price on the land - kudos!
Do you live in that area (near the park) already, then? Or is the house you're selling in the city/burbs? Just wondering if this will be a nice change of pace for you.
That price point to build seems a smidge optimistic to me in this area, but my experience is only n=1. We spent considerably more than that for <2K square feet + unfinished walkout. But then, I'm closer to DC and didn't have construction friends to help, so it's certainly possible that cost will be considerably less there. I imagine it depends on which pieces your friends are able to help you save money on. And there are of course so many variables! (I just remembered how much money we have tied up in decking
) 
That's great!!
Do you live in that area (near the park) already, then? Or is the house you're selling in the city/burbs? Just wondering if this will be a nice change of pace for you.
That price point to build seems a smidge optimistic to me in this area, but my experience is only n=1. We spent considerably more than that for <2K square feet + unfinished walkout. But then, I'm closer to DC and didn't have construction friends to help, so it's certainly possible that cost will be considerably less there. I imagine it depends on which pieces your friends are able to help you save money on. And there are of course so many variables! (I just remembered how much money we have tied up in decking
) That's great!!
Last edited by wndrlst; 10-22-2013 at 10:09 AM.
10-22-2013, 10:07 AM
#15
Earth-bound misfit
10-22-2013, 11:05 AM
#16
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That's a fantastic price on the land - kudos!
Do you live in that area (near the park) already, then? Or is the house you're selling in the city/burbs? Just wondering if this will be a nice change of pace for you.
That price point to build seems a smudge optimistic to me in this area, but my experience is only n=1. We spent considerably more than that for <2K square feet + unfinished walkout. But then, I'm closer to DC and didn't have construction friends to help, so it's certainly possible that cost will be considerably less there. I imagine it depends on which pieces your friends are able to help you save money on. And there are of course so many variables! (I just remembered how much money we have tied up in decking) That's great!!
Do you live in that area (near the park) already, then? Or is the house you're selling in the city/burbs? Just wondering if this will be a nice change of pace for you.
That price point to build seems a smudge optimistic to me in this area, but my experience is only n=1. We spent considerably more than that for <2K square feet + unfinished walkout. But then, I'm closer to DC and didn't have construction friends to help, so it's certainly possible that cost will be considerably less there. I imagine it depends on which pieces your friends are able to help you save money on. And there are of course so many variables! (I just remembered how much money we have tied up in decking
) That's great!!It does depend on the house style and I may be looking more at $100 sq. ft., but should be able to cut costs. I can have all the electric wired with the cost of supplies at $15.00 per hour. My major expense is framing and brickwork.
10-22-2013, 11:15 AM
#17
Earth-bound misfit
That is great!! 
10-22-2013, 11:24 AM
#18
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10-22-2013, 12:25 PM
#19
David_Dude
I think I will move out to the woods too in the future once my daughter hits high school age and she can drive to and from school (that's at least 14 years away).
Bdog can't wait for the build thread.
Bdog can't wait for the build thread.
10-22-2013, 12:44 PM
#20
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Looks awesome, can't wait to see the progress.
10-24-2013, 11:09 AM
#22
Senior Moderator
Awesome
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Bdog (08-27-2015)
08-27-2015, 09:17 PM
#25
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Thread Starter
I haven't been on in a while, but have a lot going on. As you can see below, I started removing some trees.
All clean looking now.
Lets add a few blocks.
and a few more
Starting to take shape and the garage is a side opening
They finished pouring and smoothing the basement today
When finished the house is a little over 5,000 sq. ft. Not having the builder finish the basement, I figured I'll get some friends next year and knock that out and save a little money. It's a 10' basement, then 9' main floor with 20' great room, then 8' top floor and it'll have a 68' x 12' deck on the rear with part covered and finished. Being in the woods, it will be all stone and hardy-plank siding. Since starting this post I bought the 5.5 acre lot beside this one, so it' gives me 10.5 acres in the woods.
All clean looking now.
Lets add a few blocks.
and a few more
Starting to take shape and the garage is a side opening
They finished pouring and smoothing the basement today
When finished the house is a little over 5,000 sq. ft. Not having the builder finish the basement, I figured I'll get some friends next year and knock that out and save a little money. It's a 10' basement, then 9' main floor with 20' great room, then 8' top floor and it'll have a 68' x 12' deck on the rear with part covered and finished. Being in the woods, it will be all stone and hardy-plank siding. Since starting this post I bought the 5.5 acre lot beside this one, so it' gives me 10.5 acres in the woods.
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08-28-2015, 08:07 AM
#26
Race Director
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Wow! Nice!
08-28-2015, 10:35 AM
#27
Earth-bound misfit
Awesome! I'm looking forward to watching the progress.
08-28-2015, 01:47 PM
#30
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08-31-2015, 09:57 AM
#34
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Thanks all! They are supposed to start framing this week starting with the rear basement wall and deck supports, then start the first floor. They still have a bunch of excavating to do in front to get the elevations and front driveway loop complete.
I'm not sure if they are adding a step around the loop or grading down a bit so it's a gradual incline.
I'm not sure if they are adding a step around the loop or grading down a bit so it's a gradual incline.
09-01-2015, 09:44 AM
#35
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Very cool. I love properties in the woods. Can't wait to follow along with your build.
10-13-2015, 02:36 PM
#37
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Due to 10 days of rain recently I'm still not under roof, but they're working on the top floor. This is the rear and they'll start building the deck next week they said.
10-13-2015, 04:41 PM
#38
Moderator
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Holy moly!
Nice!
11-05-2015, 01:39 PM
#40
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So the rain in VA has been ridiculous this year and it's still not completely under roof.
Front of house
Rear without deck and additional room
Front of house
Rear without deck and additional room