Tips on Buying Mountain Property In North Carolina
We received a book this month from a friend of ours, Asheville real estate developer Michael Posey who developed a gated North Carolina mountain community named Sunset Falls at Bald Creek in Waynesville North Carolina. Posey recently published a book entitled Everything You Need to Know About Buying Mountain Property. After reading it, we believe his book can help buyers make smarter decisions when it comes to buying mountain property in Western North Carolina. Unlike building a home on level land, mountain property poses complexities and some issues can become expensive. From site excavation into a rock solid mountain to knowing how deep you'll need to drill for an adequate water supply. In the mountains, the positioning of the home is equally important, to capture the beautiful views. These items are the obvious. Posey’s book digs much deeper into issues such as positioning a driveway, is a retention wall needed and is it wise to buy mountain property on a steep slope. Could you avoid buying land in areas that are vulnerable to mountain landslides?
Our advice to our buyers purchasing Asheville mountain property has always been to meet with a trusted builder before going to contract to purchase a lot. A mountain home builder can give you a better idea of the cost to build on one lot over another and which lot will offer you better views when trees are removed or undercut. As Posey, the Asheville real estate developer of Sunset Falls at Bald Creek, pointed out in his book, other factors include how large of a home can the lot accommodate. Before you a build home, the local Health Department must approve the location of your home’s septic/drain field. Uneducated buyers of mountain property can easily be caught off guard when they discover the lot they just purchased is approved for a two bedroom two bath home, not the three bedroom 3 bath home they had planned because the lot isn’t big enough for the appropriate drainfield.
Posey’s book provides an in depth analysis of how to analyze Convenants, Conditions and Restrictions also known as the HOA or POA Documents. In a non-gated community, covenants typically do not come into play. While some folks want to invoke their American freedom to do whatever they want on their property, others prefer some regulation. Covenants ensure a degree of conformity. For example, when you buy land in a non-gated neighborhood that is not subject to a set of Covenants, will you be happy when your new neighbor brings a goat farm with him/her and/or uses their lawn for junk car storage? These are common issues in Western North Carolina. Posey’s book creates an awareness of issues you may not have thought of such as the reliability of the closet fire station and noise pollution which echoes through the mountains.
If you're searching for Asheville real estate, Michael Posey would be happy to say ‘hello’ and show you examples at his gated North Carolina mountain community, Sunset Falls at Bald Creek. Just ask us to introduce you by writing info@communityfinder.com or call us toll free at 866.384.1799.
