Questions for those who built in the country

[perigee]

When you order your home, make sure that you add age in place improvements, like 36 inch doorways, an ADA compliant bathroom, which means grab bars in the shower and toilet areas and preferably a roll in shower. Include lots of lights, your older eyes will thank you for that. Also, making sure that the main light source in main living areas are reinforced so that you can add ceiling fans in the future.

You might want to consider adding a 220 volt plug where the carport, garage might go, with plug in hybrids and electric cars becoming more and more common, it might be a good idea to try to future proof your home.

One final piece of unsolicited advise, when it comes to deciding between gas or electric cooking, pick electric and then when the house is delivered upgrade to induction cooking, it is much safer and everyone that goes induction raves about it.

Pros and Cons of Induction Cooktops and Ranges - Consumer Reports

[dcisive]

StealthRabbit you are one smart and experienced cookie. I've now had extensive conversations with both the lender as well as a specialist agent regarding the land available. We went through all the steps today and you are DEAD ON with them in order as well. Nice job. The timing you mentioned makes perfect sense. The only downside is we'll be renting probably from the end of August of next year till we choose the land, pay for it then proceed to make the final decision on the manufactured home we want. Then as you've mentioned we'll begin the process of it's preparation. The costs are up there a bit (between 60-80K) but it is what it is. I was delighted to find out we owed over 20K less on our home then I thought, as well as the values here are skyrocketing, so hope to have more $$ to work with for the down. It's a heck of a process for a 64 year old to be going through. I'd rather have done it when I was 40 but oh well Just getting excited. I'll have to be very careful however to make sure there is plenty of trees and such around the land buffering us from a neighbor possibility. I also will have to canvass the area to make sure it's not loaded with motorcycles, ATV's and other toys that will be generating noise to disturb our peace and quiet, which is the primary reason I'm moving in the first place. We shall see.....

[dozerbear]

Originally Posted by dcisive

I am exploring/fantasizing about the potential of a retirement in an area where I can have anything from 2 to 5 acres and have a drive not much more than 45 minutes to competent medical care if needed. I've looked on line and there are tons of acreage spots available all over Clallum and Kitsap Counties which I'm finding most interesting. Don't want to be anywhere near Seattle that's for sure. I've looked at so many spots that are attractive. Belfair, Tahuya, Seabeck, Sequim, Port Angeles and more. Plenty of nice 2-5 acre plots of land for 20-50K.

I've noted many will have electric at the street or very near by. Some have water hookups possible (most don't) and nearly all require some septic system. I have NO knowledge of the Septic systems. So I'm curious if anyone here has a clue of the cost of a competently done well that will easily accommodate a 3 bed 2 bath manufactured home, along with a quality septic system. I'm assuming will add thousands to the price of a lot, but I have no idea just how many thousands. Any input or enlightenment would be greatly appreciated. I'd just like to be able to have some idea what I'd be in for. Thanks

Something you need to be aware of is a recent court ruling called the "Hirst Decision." It changed the rules for getting a permit to drill a well, and the new requirements are so expensive they have created a de facto ban on drilling new wells. Negotiations to fix the problem broke down today in the legislature, and the session ends tomorrow. More information:
Sue Lani Madsen: Hirst Decision on well-drilling effectively blocks development throughout the state | The Spokesman-Review

Fix court decision: Property without water is worthless | The Seattle Times

[dcisive]

From what I read it makes perfect sense to have a study done before being allowed to drill. Makes sense to me and doesn't appear to be a utter road block, just a precautionary limitation should it present an issue. Since I last posted I've looked a lots that the majority DO have water and electricity requiring only the Septic. I'll probably end up going that route. I have another year to play with it.

[M3 Mitch]

Originally Posted by dcisive

I am exploring/fantasizing about the potential of a retirement in an area where I can have anything from 2 to 5 acres and have a drive not much more than 45 minutes to competent medical care if needed. I've looked on line and there are tons of acreage spots available all over Clallum and Kitsap Counties which I'm finding most interesting. Don't want to be anywhere near Seattle that's for sure. I've looked at so many spots that are attractive. Belfair, Tahuya, Seabeck, Sequim, Port Angeles and more. Plenty of nice 2-5 acre plots of land for 20-50K.

I've noted many will have electric at the street or very near by. Some have water hookups possible (most don't) and nearly all require some septic system. I have NO knowledge of the Septic systems. So I'm curious if anyone here has a clue of the cost of a competently done well that will easily accommodate a 3 bed 2 bath manufactured home, along with a quality septic system. I'm assuming will add thousands to the price of a lot, but I have no idea just how many thousands. Any input or enlightenment would be greatly appreciated. I'd just like to be able to have some idea what I'd be in for. Thanks

I had a 5 acre plot in Iowa once, found that 5 acres is too small to farm or to pasture animals, but too big for a yard, really. I would go 2 or less, or 10 or more.

You need specific local info to talk wells, they can cost a few thousand to into the 10's of thousands, "it depends".

As to the septic, I would suggest you "over-build" the drain field "while the guys are at your place".

As Stealth has or will point out, you can come out better buying a place with a dilapidated trailer on it, that has well, septic, and power, remove or demolish the trailer, put your manufactured home in it's place. I drive by a lot with such a trailer on it, the windows are smashed out, I think someone cooked "crack" in the trailer, so it's toast, but I can see the power lines going to a meter, and I guess it has well and septic given its rural location.