Building A House in in/near Asheville, NC

I've been scouring the real estate agents' websites via Yahoo! and FindYourSpot.com. There are a few lovely tracts of land: 1st is 24 acres, the 2nd is 20 acres in Black Mountain, NC, the 3rd is in Marshall, NC for just over 18acres, the list is endless. Of course, I wouldn't buy anything without viewing it first! lol

I'm just wondering how easy/difficult it is to build house on this type of land. I'm not all that up on US building regulations, etc especially in NC. I know it depends on zoning and restrictions, too.

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I'm also wondering has anyone had a house built in NC? Of course, I'm not wanting anything fancy. lol I would like to know the minimum amount to be able to build, plus any other costs. I haven't a clue how or where to start!

The building costs will really depend on the state of the land.  If it's like wilderness, you're going to have to pay quite a bit to have it cleared and levelled, but if you've lucked out and found a relatively clear and flat plot, things should be straightforward.  Really check out transport, though -- see if you'll be responsible for maintaining a private road, etc., and also think about how you'll get around during the winters -- if you're up a mountain or in the middle of the woods you'll have a hard time getting down/out if there's any substantial snow.

Some friends of mine had houses built in WNC (one in Brevard, one in Asheville) in the last 5 years -- both were ranch-style 3-4 beds and they each spent less that $100k on the basic build.

Just thought about utilities -- if you're too far out, you'll have to pay to connect into the local grid, etc., so check on those costs as well.

Just thought about utilities -- if you're too far out, you'll have to pay to connect into the local grid, etc., so check on those costs as well.

I second that, for buying a house in any undeveloped or wilderness areas (NC or elsewhere).  If you have to have utilities run out to your build -- depending on where/how far out/etc -- these costs have the potential to be prohibitively expensive.  My brother discovered this with some land that he owns in Colorado -- so far (after years of ownership), it still has just a basic hunting shack (no utilities!) on it, that he built himself for lower tax purposes (having a structure on the land gets a lower property tax rate).

Thanks Lola  and Carolyn. These are the things that I've complete forgotten about!

I might just find a house with a few acres! lol  There's always the option of buying the land bordering it in future (if the owner is willing to sell, that is!)

Aiyana, I don't think any of these things should discourage you from looking into having a house built -- only that you'll want to factor in for any possible extra costs depending on the location, its features, and proximity to (or inclusion in) existing utility infrastructures.

Hi, I just saw this thread, I had to chime in. I don't know much about building, but how familiar are you with the area? Just FYI, Asheville is great, a very liberal and fun town (I grew up there) but the surrounding area can be much, much different. Marshall in particular, is a very small town that can be quite conservative, and it's about 1 1/2 hours from Asheville, if I remember correctly. Good luck though--it's an interesting city!

it was so neat to see this post! i live in asheville right now and am look to do my postgraduate study in manchester.

asheville is a great place. all of wnc is really booming right now (lots of development). so if it helps you any, it seems like a good investment to build here because prices will only continue to rise.

newcomer link: http://www.mountainxpress.com [nonactive] is a local paper that has lots of info about the area and could possibly be helpful for you in some way.

good luck with everything!

I livei n Charlotte now, and have a good firend that builds log cabins in/around Asheville.  If you have questions, I can probably get some answers from him that are specific to Asheville.

Also, if you're wanting near the mountains but near a decently-sized city, I'd suggest checking out Hickory, about equidistant between Boone and Charlotte (45 mins each direction) and a small, cute town with loads of good houses for quite cheap.

Thanks girls! Sorry to be so MIA for so long. Troubles, etc but hopefully now better.

I am trying to convince hubby to buy land first. I've already been warned by a few people, including my dad, to not buy anything in FL yet. So I'm thinking NC land!