Would you consider a house with a big berm in the backyard? (better)

[lindtwhite]

it's very close to $500k

[lindtwhite]

do you think i can cut the dirt and add some retaining wall to make it like a garden? Would that be a plus when comes to resale. Of course, I guess the landscaping will be very expensive.

[heck]

Depends on whether it's a leach field or just a privacy berm...if it's a privacy berm, I would think you could do something with it to make it less obtrusive (a patio w/ retaining wall might be a great idea). If, on the other hand, it's a required structure (leach field, etc.), you may not be able to do anything with it. Honestly, if it were me, it would be a detraction, based on the sales price.

Best of luck on the decision!!
Jamie

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by CHTransplant

If it gives you pause about buying the house, don't you think it would do the same for others?

I agree, if you see it as a possible negative chances are future buyers will as well.

[sacredgrooves]

It is not a leach field, that is a small lot so no septic. It is for privacy and will probably send quite a bit of water towards your foundation, or leave standing water in the flat area of your backyard. I see so many drainage issues in those type neighborhoods....there just is not a good way to get rid of heavy amounts of rain water by swale alone. That neighborhood was more than likely a big field and all the houses are on fill/graded dirt. That berm is a common technique with developers to give a facade of privacy so they can stack more houses on the land. I just wanted to give you another side of the coin to think about.

[cry884]

I wouldn't let it keep me from a house I loved, but I'd make sure I could pay for someone else to maintain it. If you buy the house, spent a bunch of money getting juniper put on it this fall. Then you won't waste your time and money trying to grow grass on it.

[lindtwhite]

If the house is relative new, will I be able to find out the possible foundation problem by inspection?

Originally Posted by sacredgrooves

It is not a leach field, that is a small lot so no septic. It is for privacy and will probably send quite a bit of water towards your foundation, or leave standing water in the flat area of your backyard. I see so many drainage issues in those type neighborhoods....there just is not a good way to get rid of heavy amounts of rain water by swale alone. That neighborhood was more than likely a big field and all the houses are on fill/graded dirt. That berm is a common technique with developers to give a facade of privacy so they can stack more houses on the land. I just wanted to give you another side of the coin to think about.

[sacredgrooves]

Originally Posted by lindtwhite

If the house is relative new, will I be able to find out the possible foundation problem by inspection?

Yes we can determine if there are foundation issues, but it is moisture intrusion I would be more concerned about. The foundation is in all likelihood not an issue. Even with fill dirt, the soil is compacted to a density of non-fill earth.

[lindtwhite]

ah... sounds like a dealbreaker...I love the house though.

Originally Posted by sacredgrooves

Yes we can determine if there are foundation issues, but it is moisture intrusion I would be more concerned about. The foundation is in all likelihood not an issue. Even with fill dirt, the soil is compacted to a density of non-fill earth.

[CaliBoy]

I'm not understanding the issue... are we just talking about a mound of dirt on the property that sort of separates the one property from another. Are you allowed to do anything with it like plantings? If not, I would properly be concerned as well since part of the enjoyment of a home is what you see visually from within it. But if you do have control of it, a lot of landscaping magic can be created on raised levels of dirt.