Houses on slope in sudden valley (Bellingham: buying a house, buying, statistics)

[kambiz33]

I am planing to buy a house in sudden valley, Washington (Close to Bellingham). Most houses are built on slopes. Anybody has any statistics on mud slides in sudden valley? are these type of houses eventually prone to shift?

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by kambiz33

I am planing to buy a house in sudden valley, Washington (Close to Bellingham). Most houses are built on slopes. Anybody has any statistics on mud slides in sudden valley? are these type of houses eventually prone to shift?

Find some big old trees on the same slope. Preferably about two feet in diameter or larger. Look at the bottom 5' feet of the tree. Does it come straight out of the ground, or is it curved near the bottom and enters the ground at a funny angle?

The stable slopes are the ones where the tree grows vertical out of the ground without curving. The curved trees indicate the slope has slipped in the past.

Alternatively, you can hire a geotechnical engineer to perform a soil analysis of the area you're looking at buying a house. They could write a report that accurately describes the risks as well as inspecting the foundation of your home to ensure that it is in good shape currently.

[kambiz33]

Thank you very much for your advice. It came in a little late. I decided to buy a house right in the city of bellingham. However, I love sudden valley area so much that I am thinking of buying a vacation house there. I will do what you said before investing in a vacation home.
Thanks and God bless

[Geechie North]

Originally Posted by bigtrees

Find some big old trees on the same slope. Preferably about two feet in diameter or larger. Look at the bottom 5' feet of the tree. Does it come straight out of the ground, or is it curved near the bottom and enters the ground at a funny angle?

The stable slopes are the ones where the tree grows vertical out of the ground without curving. The curved trees indicate the slope has slipped in the past.

Alternatively, you can hire a geotechnical engineer to perform a soil analysis of the area you're looking at buying a house. They could write a report that accurately describes the risks as well as inspecting the foundation of your home to ensure that it is in good shape currently.

.

Thanks for the tree criteria. Never heard that one, and it sure is a convenient quick test.

[griffinski]

Originally Posted by kambiz33

I am planing to buy a house in sudden valley, Washington (Close to Bellingham). Most houses are built on slopes. Anybody has any statistics on mud slides in sudden valley? are these type of houses eventually prone to shift?

im just moving to sudden valley this weekend! there is no real threat of mudslides here! its a great place ive researched and the negativity is just for negative people. good luck and take care , patrick!