A dedicated information gathering mission on your land. With photographs, topographical maps, soil testing, and a written report.

$350

for tracts up to 3 acres,
+$10 for each additional acre.

Land Inspections
for Home Buyers

Are you in the process of buying a home?

You will certainly hire a home inspector to check out the home. Perhaps you will also have someone come out to look at the roof, septic system, HVAC, and all the other parts of this big expensive investment.These make a huge difference in the quality and expense of life in the home!

I will come to that new dream property you are considering and inspect the land for problems and opportunities that it presents.

In the midst of the chaos that can accompany the home-buying process it can be difficult to consider all the impacts that the land might bring to bear.

Would you like to understand how sunlight, topography, rainwater, soil, flora, and fauna may affect the experience at your new land?

Having an understanding of the ecosystem and how your home is situated within it can help you make a confident decision.

Opportunity Assessment:

• I like to work with realtors and home buyers to first understand the goals, strengths, visions, and dreams of the clients.

• Then, I apply a permaculture lens while seeing the potential land purchase through the client’s eyes. I can help determine if a particular piece of land will meet the criteria that clients are searching for and also shed light on opportunities and obstacles that any given site may present.

• Where to establish an annual and/or perennial garden?
  Will fruit trees be feasible here?
  Cultivation potential for high-income producing medicinals?
  Where to manage the land and where to leave wild?
  How much sunlight will I get?
  What invasive species are present and how should I manage?
  What water and erosion issues might I have?
  Could this land support chickens, bees, (name-your-homestead desires)?
  What are the potential land opportunities and challenges?
  Will these support or hinder my dreams?

Common Challenges I Often Encounter Include (but are not limited to):

• Seasonal Sunlight
  At our latitude, the angle of the sun changes dramatically throughout the year. A home on a north-facing slope that boasts cheerful sunshine in the summer could receive very little light during winter.

• Soil Quality
  Structure and chemistry of soil can vary widely in this region. Previous uses, erosion concerns, run-off from neighboring parcels, and many other factors can limit (or benefit) what uses your potential land can have.

• Erosion Concerns
  I have a keen eye for detecting historic, perennial, and potential erosion issues. Often, these obstacles are opportunities in disguise, and having a plan from the get-go is a huge benefit to the new home owner

• Invasive and Hard-to-Manage Flora
  Many properties in our region are inundated with plants that are aggressive and hard to manage. Don’t get caught by surprise when summer comes in and you find yourself in a thorny jungle that takes lots of energy or the expense of hired help to mitigate.

• Microclimates
  Topography, vegetation, groundwater depth, building placements, hardscaping, and other factors like these have significant impact on different pockets of your site. Identifying these areas and having strategies to enhance, negate, or buffer these impacts is paramount for successful landscaping.

  
  
  

My Process

1

Click the button, select a time that works with your negotiation schedule, and use the secure payment interface directly. I’ll follow up with a confirmation email and any additional questions I may have so I can be optimally prepared for my inspection.

2

There is no need for you to be present during the inspection. In fact, it is better if I have focused time to work alone to avoid distractions and be as detailed and thorough as possible.

During the inspection, I will go through my extensive checklist to report to you my findings. This treasure trove of information will include my notes, thoughts about solutions to obstacles and optimal usages for different areas, photos, video walk-thrus where necessary, and more. I will give you all the information I would want to know myself, tailored to the questions you may have.

I will also take soil samples and send them for testing. (One area free of charge, additional areas at your request for a negligible fee to cover costs.)

3

I will prepare this report in an informative digital document as soon as possible after the inspection. This will be conveyed to you

4

I will assemble maps and documents that shed light on the property including:

• property boundaries (though I do not perform formal surveys)

• topography

• general soil region

• sun paths throughout the seasons

• conservation easements, waterways, marshes, and other ecological factors that may constrain the land

• and more

5

Day of the Inspection

• I will arrive at the land before you for a focused investigation before you arrive. During this time, I will perform a detailed inspection of the land and take notes about obstacles and opportunities that I discover.

• Once you (and/or your realtor) arrive, I will tour the property with you and discuss my observations. You will have ample time to ask questions.

• If you want, I can gather samples of soil, water, plants and any other factors to be sent off for laboratory testing which I will later send to you with my interpretations and advice.

pricing

Starting at $150 for a consultation of land tracts up to 4 acres in Henderson & South Buncombe counties. Additional cost for for larger acreages, longer consultation times, and greater driving distances.