Q: Can you build on undeveloped land?

• <div><p>You can&rsquo;t build on undeveloped land without preparing it for construction, which involves running utilities to the site or accounting for private utilities like wells and septic systems and grading and compacting the soil for safe construction. Once you prepare the land, you can build on it as long as the project abides by local zoning regulations.</p></div>

Q: Who do I call before I dig in my yard?

• <div><p>If you&rsquo;re planning to dig on your property, you&rsquo;ll need to check for underground utility lines. Call the national call-before-you-dig 811 number. Once connected to an operator, you can schedule a site visit to mark underground lines. This way, you won&rsquo;t accidentally dig into pipes and can cause major (read: costly) issues. </p></div>

Question 1

Can you build on undeveloped land?

Accepted Answer

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You can’t build on undeveloped land without preparing it for construction, which involves running utilities to the site or accounting for private utilities like wells and septic systems and grading and compacting the soil for safe construction. Once you prepare the land, you can build on it as long as the project abides by local zoning regulations.

Question 2

How hard is it to buy a house for the first time?

Accepted Answer

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Several government-backed lending programs can help first-time home buyers purchase a home with little money down. FHA, USDA, and VA loans are options for qualifying borrowers, though many conventional mortgage lenders will lower down payment rates to as low as 3 percent.

Question 3

How do you tell if a tree is a historic landmark?

Accepted Answer

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This is fairly rare, but sometimes the local government or a group like a historical society will label a tree as a landmark, or historical item. These designations almost always come with a small, on-site plaque for identification, but you should also be able to look up protected trees in your area on a city website or similar list. If the tree in question is a landmark, call your local government and ask how to proceed before making any plans.

Question 4

Who do I call before I dig in my yard?

Accepted Answer

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If you’re planning to dig on your property, you’ll need to check for underground utility lines. Call the national call-before-you-dig 811 number. Once connected to an operator, you can schedule a site visit to mark underground lines. This way, you won’t accidentally dig into pipes and can cause major (read: costly) issues.

Question 5

What happens if your land survey is inaccurate?

Accepted Answer

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If you or your mortgage lender think your land survey needs to be more accurate, double-check the survey report and get at least a second opinion from the original surveyor and an inspector, if possible. Although it’s unlikely, even reputable surveying companies can make mistakes. An inaccurate survey can cause problems down the road in the case of any property line disputes, so it’s best to resolve any inaccuracies as quickly as possible.