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Insurance companies weigh the amount of potential liabilities on your property to increase (or decrease) the cost of your home insurance. They will use several factors to decide if there are more chances for peril or injury to take place at your home. These factors include your location (whether you live in an area with high risk for natural disasters), the age and condition of your home, and whether you have any “attractive nuisances”—features that both increase the aesthetic of your home and potential for injury—like a pool or treehouse. 

Yes, siding orientation can affect a home’s resale value, but in what way and by how much really depends on the prospective buyer. For instance, some buyers prefer the more modern appearance that vertical siding offers, so having it can increase your home’s value in their eyes. However, other buyers prefer the classic, more common appearance of horizontal siding, so having vertical siding can decrease your home’s value in their eyes. 

In most cases, no, a seller cannot negotiate after an appraisal if they signed an offer agreement. The only exception would be if there was a contingency in the offer that stated that the offer acceptance was contingent on the appraisal amount. If that’s the case, the seller can negotiate a higher sale price to match the appraised amount. If the appraised amount comes in below the sale price, both sides have to agree to negotiate, but there may be no other option since the buyer’s lender might not approve the higher amount.

It is almost always more affordable to buy an existing home than to build one from scratch. First of all, new construction mortgage interest rates are often higher than traditional loans. Also, when building a home, you're covering the cost of brand-new finishes, appliances, electrics, plumbing, utility hookups, and labor. Between the cost of labor and permits, building a home will often cost more in the long run.