How risky is sloped back yard? (price, floors, pine)

[avav]

Originally Posted by OutdoorLover

Those trees that look like they are located on the slope, their roots help to stabilize it. Don't subtract trees there, if you want do something, add trees (or large shrubs).

indeed, crossed my mind... in fact those trees hide quite nice view
From Google map, this is what the neighbors see...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wT7...ew?usp=sharing

[gf2020]

I don't see any problem there. Better to be the house at the top of the slope than the bottom.

[avav]

as a side note, property insurance may not cover

My insurance has this exclusion:

Earth Movement, meaning earthquake including land shock waves or tremors before, during or after a volcanic eruption; landslide; mine subsidence; mudflow; earth sinking, rising or shifting;
unless direct loss by:
(1) Fire;
(2) Explosion; or
(3) Breakage of glass (...)
This exclusion does not apply to loss by theft

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by avav

as a side note, property insurance may not cover

My insurance has this exclusion:

Earth Movement, meaning earthquake including land shock waves or tremors before, during or after a volcanic eruption; landslide; mine subsidence; mudflow; earth sinking, rising or shifting;
unless direct loss by:
(1) Fire;
(2) Explosion; or
(3) Breakage of glass (...)
This exclusion does not apply to loss by theft

Life is uncertain. You need to make your own risk assessment.

[avav]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

Life is uncertain. You need to make your own risk assessment.

I pay insurance so I won't have to

The difference between a clever and a wise man is that a wise man can get out of troubles that a clever man will avoid

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by avav

I pay insurance so I won't have to

The difference between a clever and a wise man is that a wise man can get out of troubles that a clever man will avoid

Most of the clever or wise men/women I’ve worked with don’t solicit the advise of unqualified strangers. They look at the data and render a decision

The study I linked pretty clearly outlines the potential risks. Whether or not your insurance policy covers it becomes a risk tolerance issue you alone have to render a decision on. Or increase your coverage, but that is typically not a cheap exercise.

In this market, I assume the house is already pending ...

[avav]

Originally Posted by Shrewsburried

Most of the clever or wise men/women I’ve worked with don’t solicit the advise of unqualified strangers. They look at the data and render a decision

The study I linked pretty clearly outlines the potential risks. Whether or not your insurance policy covers it becomes a risk tolerance issue you alone have to render a decision on. Or increase your coverage, but that is typically not a cheap exercise.

In this market, I assume the house is already pending ...

Still active. In that location, all neighbors have quite nice view and reasonable back yards. On the other hand the house is in a very good condition and the neighborhood is good. The risk is minimal yet my insurance company will not cover landslides. They will cover Earthquake for a fee though. After heavily considering all pros and cons I made a decision (tossed a coin) (just kidding)

[Shrewsburried]

Originally Posted by avav

Still active. In that location, all neighbors have quite nice view and reasonable back yards. On the other hand the house is in a very good condition and the neighborhood is good. The risk is minimal yet my insurance company will not cover landslides. They will cover Earthquake for a fee though. After heavily considering all pros and cons I made a decision (tossed a coin) (just kidding)

Fair enough - sorry I was bit combative.

Ultimately it's helpful to know the local geology when addressing these concerns. My own house is rather concerning due to the severe slope ... it's basically plopped a top a 150ft elevation gain. However, nearly every new build in the neighborhood ends up blasting for the foundation and, sure enough, my house also sits on top of or within solid bedrock ... and I have the drainage problems to prove it. Fortunately the home has a perimeter drain and who ever did the land prep designed in proper grade away from the foundation.

[r_p]

Depends on the kind of slope. Rocky ones are fine and not moving anywhere.

Is the house settling/tilting more in a particular direction, e.g., towards the slope. You can check this with a laser leveling tool (~$50 in Home Depot). Go to the basement and place it at various locations (all four sides) and you will have an idea. Usually 1-2 inches every 20 ft or so is not a big deal. You can also use a ball or a bucket of water but the laser would be ideal. Also check for any evidence of repairs in foundation (cracks and such).

Some slope is actually beneficial and provides good natural drainage. You might not even need a sump pump.

[bugelrex]

In terms of feng shui, it's really bad (wealth flowing away from the house)... would really need something to offset this
- low price
- prime A location
- extra large home