is just around the corner.

My wife and I looked just shy of 20 years for that lot. We had an option on 6 acres from a relative but it just wasn't what we wanted, really.

It was like any other day, I was working in the shop and Denise had gone somewhere I believe. She saw one of those little tiny 3 or 4 line ads in the paper for two wooded lots totalling 5 acres. Too much money for the whole thing but we bought half. Our Log Home nestles into the mature maple, hickory, oak, elm, walnut, cherry, locust, hackberry, one very large beautiful Beech and others. This was our "Perfect Lot" you can have yours too if you are patient.

In this day and age you really need to have utilities available if at all possible. A private sewage system is very expensive. I have spoken to folks in Canada and all over the USA about their systems and everyone has something in common with this, they cost a lot of money. Thirty years ago you could have a sewage system, water well, and a fuel oil tank buried for less than $5,000, now a water well will cost you more than that and it may be contaminated with something that never hurt our families 30 to 50 years ago but it is considered sure "death" now.

If you are considering buying a lot that has no utilities other than electric, do your homework. Check with the jurisdiction that governs your area and see what the water level is and if it is any good when you get it. Sewage systems need to be installed where the leaching field will "percolate" and I assure you if it won't the santation department can halt your building plans before you even get started. If you need to use fuel oil or propane for heat make sure of your supply and don't plan real hard on burying a tank in the ground.

When you find the lot and get past the above items contact a surveyor that has done property in the area, that is very important. You may be aquainted with a company that does work in Wauteesie County but if you are going to build in Hoboken County he may very well know nothing about the land. Have the surveyor "stake" the corners of your property and if they have stakes already, have him check their locations. Do not neglect this.

Check for easements. Make sure the maps you look at are current and stamped by the county.

You should have a lawyer check to see if there is a clear title. There are "Title Lawyers" for this job, this is one of very few times I say the lawyer is good for his money.

DRAINAGE

I mean, does it have good drainage naturally? Don't buy a property that every other adjoining property owner has decided to empty their water shed to. Dig around it a little, how much trash can you find within the top 10 or 12 inches. If you find some chances are there is a lot more. Is this lot the last one in the plat? A-HA! Every existing homeowner has moved trash to your prospective property.

The lot has beautiful trees on it but if there is one or two inches of soil moved over top of the roots of any tree or trees they will die. Maybe not this year but "they WILL die".

I am not trying to scare you in any way I simply hope that I can make you more aware of some of the things to look for when buying that PERFECT LOT FOR THAT DREAM HOUSE.

If I can be of any further help just E-MAIL me.