PDA

View Full Version : Making an offer on raw land with issues!!



cowfire
02-09-2008, 01:24 PM
Hello all, I have been a LHBA member for 11 years. I am finally ready and $ecure enough to build. I found a lot that I want to buy, but it's got issues... The good- 5 acres, in a really good location, view, rural feel but close to town, easy water hookup. The neutral-It is zoned Agriculture, I am a farmer, so I can build one house, one barn, and one garage, I have one bank that I really like that's OK with the zoning. The bad- 50' easement next to the road for the utility right-of-way, it is 95% in the flood plain, it only would flood in the worst conditions, the 5% out of the floodplain is taken by easement. I would need to get living area high enough to "never" flood. There are 2 ditches running through middle of prop., but I already have approval to move them to the sides of prop. The septic will be in floodplain, so I believe the county has you dig an inspection hole now, and they come out 3 times in the winter to check water level, so probaly no build til spring 09' It is a moderate slope from the road down, then flat, so I could build daylight basement, so the basement would be storage only, subject to flooding. The other option is bringing in fill for a large building pad, then I could build barn and shop, which I could do for not that much $ since I own a bunch of excavators and dump trucks, the worst part would be $permit fees$. The asking price is 95K, since only farmers have a shot at making this lot buildable, it cuts down the competition. it is worth I am guessing 70-75K unbuildable. It was listed @ 115K. This is a 225K lot if it all works out. I obviosly need to have offer contingent on certain feasibilties. Any thoughts on $making an offer$. Any suggestions, thoughts, etc, about this whole deal?? either email or feel free to post here. Thanks, Kurt!! dunbarjoh@yahoo.com

rocklock
02-10-2008, 09:31 AM
Cowfire, my neighbor is building some where in Snohomish County. I belive you are as well... I have had mixed reports...
We could flap our jaws all day, but these guys have the final say... My guy in Island county looked like he was just out of high school... So I tried to establish a familial connection... Took my wife to meet with him, Gave him Macadamia Nuts, emails and phone calls, etc... He responded by giving us the service and permits required to build in a wet land...
Try these folks, and let us know how it goes... I may be able to help with permits, etc..

Snohomish County - Planning & Development Services
3000 Rockefeller Avenue, M/S 604, Everett, WA 98201
(425) 388 3311 ? www.snoco.org
Hope this helps...