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

How do you calculate real estate development costs?

Accepted Answer

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You should always calculate real estate development costs on a case-by-case basis, so there’s no specific formula to estimate your total. You should speak with a local construction manager to see what you’ll need to do in terms of clearing and leveling the land, connecting utilities, and pulling permits for construction. A professional will be able to get you an accurate estimate for land development.

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

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 4

Does the seller get to see the survey if a buyer pays for it?

Accepted Answer

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If a buyer pays for a survey, the surveyor they hired will only provide results to them. It’s up to the buyer whether they share the survey results with the seller or not, even if they ultimately walk away from the deal. It’s considered good faith to share the results with the seller, though, especially if you back out of the deal, as the seller can then provide that survey to future interested parties.

Question 5

Do you need a permit to clear land?

Accepted Answer

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Permit requirements to clear land vary by municipality, so whether or not you need permits depends on where you live and what you’re removing from the land. Some building departments will require permits for any underground work or excavation, meaning grinding down tree stumps on your property would require permits. Others mandate individual permits for each tree you remove. You can contact your local building department or a land-clearing specialist near you to see if permits are necessary for your job.