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Go to Seller Articles and read Risks of Remodeling Without a Permit
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Yeah, my husband made me read something like this yesterday. And my sister warned me too. It's just so hard to find 1/2+ acre sized lots in Raleigh. Plus this place has natural gas (I hate being cold). Guess we might want to hold off and look again in the spring when there are more properties being listed. When all is said and done it's really the mature hardwood trees that have me hooked on this lot. It's all about the trees for me which probably shouldn't be the #1 reason for picking a home.
If you add square footage to your home without a permit and later want to sell your home, the project will have to be permitted and inspected before you can close on the sale. This may require the finished work to be torn out so that the rough-in and framing can be properly inspected. This can be a costly mistake that you are strongly encouraged to avoid.
It's just so hard to find 1/2+ acre sized lots in Raleigh. ... When all is said and done it's really the mature hardwood trees that have me hooked on this lot. It's all about the trees for me ...
Keep looking!
Is a Raleigh location an absolute requirement?
You may find interesting properties in Cary and Apex.
Here is an example... sold in July 2015 ... 3 acres, heavily wooded. http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...134?source=web
A lot of old houses do not have permits for septic and otherwise. If the septic has been working for 55 yrs it will probably keep on going. My understanding is that if it stops working and a simple repair won't suffice, you may be required to put in an entirely new system. But by that time public utilities might be available.
As previously pointed out, the septic tank itself may not be the issue (although it is not unusual for them to crack). Drain fields fail on a regular basis often because the systems have not been properly maintained. The cost to repair a drain field can be very expensive. In my experience I would say that most fields will fail well before the 50 year mark. With a 1/2 acre lot there is no margin and most likely no alternate field.
Is a Raleigh location an absolute requirement?
You may find interesting properties in Cary and Apex.
Here is an example... sold in July 2015 ... 3 acres, heavily wooded. http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...134?source=web
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We've been trying to stick close to Raleigh because of the commute and because we like getting to use the city pools at the resident rate. Garner looks promising too. Budget keeps us out of Apex and Cary, but wow that was an amazing property you linked to. Our budget is around half that--hence having to consider homes that come with a various challenges. The drain field issue is a big one. Guess my quest for a big oak tree continues. Because no joke it's 75% about the trees/yard--guess that would be my rural roots coming through.
As previously pointed out, the septic tank itself may not be the issue (although it is not unusual for them to crack). Drain fields fail on a regular basis often because the systems have not been properly maintained. The cost to repair a drain field can be very expensive. In my experience I would say that most fields will fail well before the 50 year mark. With a 1/2 acre lot there is no margin and most likely no alternate field.
Yeah, those concerns are pretty big. Close to deal-breaker status for us unfortunately. I will grieve the loss of all those glorious oak trees!
at a budget of about $160K (1/2 of that Apex house, that backs to highway 64 at the 55 intersection BTW), then what is the driving force behind moving at all?
You BOTH want to move away from "cookie cutter"? You both want a larger, treed lot? Need more space? What are you looking for?
at a budget of about $160K (1/2 of that Apex house, that backs to highway 64 at the 55 intersection BTW), then what is the driving force behind moving at all?
You BOTH want to move away from "cookie cutter"? You both want a larger, treed lot? Need more space? What are you looking for?
Yes, we both do, but obviously with our tight budget (we're educators) options are limited. The good news is we both love our current home, what we don't like is our postage stamp yard and our child unfriendly neighborhood. I'm all about oak trees and flower gardening and solitude. But it is what it is for now. We'll just have to wait and save some more.
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