Wet, dense soils on the uphill side of the home’s foundation can exert a lot of force on the uphill foundation walls of the home – and becomes like like a dam holding back a lake of mud. Although the property you are considering buying might have effective drainage systems in place, you have no control over what a higher up neighbor does with their water runoff. You can’t control what the owner above you does. Rainy days can also help you discover other issues with the home including water in the basement and crawl spaces. On a dry day it might look fine but resemble Niagara Falls on a rainy day. Visit the home both during and after heavy rainfalls to see how the property handles rain runoff.
Bad drainage equals an increased risk of land / mudslides and damage to the home.
If the home is built on solid rock, who cares! But if the home is built on a slope of tress and vegetation then the home must have good drainage systems in place that prevents water from (1) getting into the home and (2) eroding the soil and making the hill unstable. It’s a scientific fact, water runs downhill and water really, really likes steep slopes.You have to be extra aware of how rain runoff is controlled on the property. However, those homes with spectacular, panoramic views can easily distract buyers from any potential issues the home and lot might have.
Resale value / sale-ability: because many buyers will perceive homes on steep slopes as a risky investment, it may be harder to sell the home plus potentially the home could appreciate more slowly than comparable flatter terrain homes. Maybe it gives you a subconscious sense of security being up higher like driving an SUV? Potential disadvantages of owing a home on a steep slopeīecause of the unique terrain theses home sit on, combined with what is know as gravity, the list of cons can outweigh the pros for steep slope homes. OK, I admit, I’m struggling to come up a with more pros. So it rampaging Vikings ever show you’ll be ready. If the home sits on a sizeable lot and is well buffered from neighboring properties, you might have excellent privacy and be able to sit naked in your hot tub without a care in the world!Ĭastles were usually built on top of hills for a reason so they could see their enemy coming and the enemy would have to fight their way up. You might be looking at someone else's roof top but you can still see the mountains beyond Since the land drops below you, there will not be a home right in front of you, blocking your coveted view. Potentially, but not always, you will have unobstructed and expansive views of sunrises or sunsets, cityscapes or rural isolation as far as the eye can see. The advantages of owing a home on a steep hill Note: If you live in Florida, this article will be of no use to you whatsoever unless you are relocating soon. So, is buying a home on a steep slope a good idea or should you buy a home on something a bit more terra firma-ish?
But when it comes to homes on steep hillsides, a buyer has to take into consideration some additional elements when weighing up if a particular home is right for them or whether they should keep looking. From packed-in tight San Francisco condo buildings, to new houses on man made terraces bulldozed into steep terrain to million dollar Seattle homes overlooking the Puget Sound clinging to a forested hill trying to eke out every last inch of that spectacular view.Īs with all styles of homes and the types of land they are located on, there are both pros and cons. Homes on steep slopes comes in all shapes, sizes and locations. To others, it’s a disaster waiting to happen although the home might have been sitting there for the past 100 years and survived the occasional earthquake. To some, a home sitting on a steep hillside is a thing of beauty and will love how the land drops below them. Buyer #1: Wow! Look at those expansive, unobstructed ocean views!īuyer #2: Wow! Looks like that thing is ready to slide into the ocean.ĭifferent buyers will view homes on a steep hill with different perspectives.