b'MB-006 2020-21 Relo - Single Page_MB-706.qxd2/21/20219:08 PMPage 70BUILDING YOUR HOMEColleagues and online searches canence a certified survey that is kept on fileing. Some subdivisions, for instance, provide you with a list of activeat the local county courthouse. Mete &limit the building materials you can homebuilders and the price ranges of thebounds parcels are often used to describeuse to build your home, specify how homes they build. Visit recently builtisolated or scattered lots. If the selleryour home must be placed on your lot homes and subdivisions. Drive by on auses a mete & bounds legal description,and may require a third party to Saturday morning when homeownersyou should have your property surveyedapprove your homes design. They may be outside doing chores or errands.to verify its actual boundaries.may even prohibit you from leaving Introduce yourself and say you arecars in the driveway. Once you have considering buying a home from thesigned the deed, you are legally obli-builder who built their home. Talk toSpecialgated to adhere to its restrictions. several owners. The more people you talk with, the more accurate anConsiderations Drainage: Any purchase offer should impression of a builder you will get.There are several issues you need to con- be contingent on the parcel not being sider when choosing a lot. Due to thelocated in a floodplain and you should size of the investment you will be mak- double check with the city engineer or building inspector. In addition, you Purchasing Land ing and the risks involved, you shouldwill want to know how the lot drains If you do decide to buy a lot on yourseek legal assistance and/or consult withand whether it is a catch basin or run own, understand that lot prices vary con- the local building inspector before youoff from other lots. The county sur-siderably between communities and sub- buy. Some of the things you should con- veyors office should have typographi-divisions. Legal descriptions of lots aresider are:cal maps to identify drainage patterns. either lot & block or mete & bounds. Lot & block parcels are the Deed Restrictions: Ask the seller Electricity/Gas: Check with the most frequently used legal description,for a copy of the deed so you canlocal utilities about availability and especially within subdivisions. Theyreview any restrictions or covenantshookup costs. state the actual lot dimensions and refer- that may affect the land you are buy-Fill: Check with the building inspec-tor to find out what your first-floor grade elevation will be and to deter-Questions to Ask Your Builder mine how much fill you will have to buy or cart away from the site. Following are questions recommended by the National Association of Homebuilders:Garbage: Find out whether garbageWill the builder give you references of recent buyers/occupants?collection is included in your property taxes as a municipal service or if youDoes the builder have a financing plan established?will have to contract with a privateAre there floor plan optionsfor example, can a basement or deck be added?company.Can a room such as the basement be left unfinished? Sewer/Septic: If you need a septicHow much customizing can be done versus standard features?system, make sure the lot has a recentand acceptablepercolation andCan appliances be up- or down-graded?soil test. Clay soil is prevalent inAre there any additional fees relating to the home or development?Wisconsin and can interfere with drainage. If you have poor soil, youWill there be a homeowners association? If so, what will the dues cost?may have to install a mound-type sep- Does the builder offer a warranty program?tic system. If you have metro or storm sewer service, find out how much theDoes the price include landscaping? What if the plants die within a year?lateral hookups will cost.Are there any restrictive covenants? Water: Check to see whether youWhat are the estimated taxes on the property?will need a well or will have to hookHow is the school system rated?up to a community well or municipal water utility. If you have to drill aAre day care and grocery stores convenient and satisfactory?well, ask about unusual mineral con- What about emergency facilitiespolice, fire department and hospitals?tent in the water. If you have a com-munity well, ask your neighbors howAre there any major development plans for the area in the next five years? it is working. If you have municipal water, find out the connection costs. 70 YOUR RELOCATION RESOURCE'