Lake-Front Properties & Wetland Issues

Lake Front Properties &

Wetland Issues

Owning lake-front property is considered the cream of the crop of building lots, as such a location adds to the value of a home exponentially. Lake-front lots are some of the most expensive pieces of real estate on the market, and for good reason. Who wouldn't want to walk out to their back deck to watch the moon rise over the peaceful waters of a Pocono lake?

But the reality is, lake-front lots also pose quite a lot of hassle for the owner when they decide to build a home on it.

Lake-front lots are often considered wetlands. Wetlands are protected lands, and thus can be deemed unbuildable. "Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year...." 1

Learn more about wetlands from:

1 The Environmental Protection Agency.

When buying lakefront property, ask the seller or real estate agent if the property has had a wetland delineation. A wetland delineation is "the determination of whether an area is a wetland. It is the actual establishment of wetland boundaries." 2

2 Read More about wetland delineation from Michigan Dept of Environmental Quality.

Wetlands are very important to the ecology of our communities. In times of higher water levels, they act as a hydrologic sponge and help an area in the event of flooding by temporarily storing flood waters and then releasing them slowly. If homes are built in these natural levee systems, where will all the water go? It would flood your home, and that of your neighbors, too. Special considerations must be taken to ensure that the boundaries of the wetlands are marked, and that no construction will take place within those boundaries. That is why special permits are required to build, and why strict restrictions apply if those permits are granted.

Read More: Wetland Functions

Not only do lake-front losts cost more intitially than most other home sites, the costs associated with site conditions for the building of the home on it if deemed buildable are much higher than a home built on land that is not wetlands.

If you do decide to build a home on wetlands, you must realize that it is your responsibility to know all that you can about your special piece of the Earth. Penalties can be severe for disturbing wetlands, including heavy fines and even prison. Learn More by reading:

Wetlands: What Developers Should Know by Kenneth M. Klemow, Ph.D, Department of Biology, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Also important to the wetland delineation process, is a property survey.

Pennsylvania Society of Land Surveyors, Pocono Chapter:

http://www.psls.org/chapter/SoPocono.htm

Wetland Delineations:

Sparnon Wetland Services, Inc.

Recognizing Wetlands:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Economic Stimulus = Home Improvements

Like most Americans, you may have been wondering what you can spend that eagerly-awaited economic stimulus on. Some families are getting in those much needed home improvements that have been on their "Honey Do" lists for too long.

The amount of your stimulus check depends on the size of your family, so we have listed some ideas for home provements based on a single persons stimulus amount, that of a married couple with out children, and that of a family of five.

If single, and eligible to receive the economic stimulus, you would or will receive $600 from the federal government. For the average do-it-yourselfer, $600 could go a long way to improving your home. With that amount, you could add a fresh coat of paint to a few rooms in your house, power-wash your deck, or you could buy mulch, fruit trees, and flowering plants & shrubs to add curb appeal to the outside of your home.

Married couples are eligible for a $1,200 stimulus check, with which they can really spruce up their homes!
With $1,200, a young couple could buy or replace a large appliance, such as a refridgerator or a washer and dryer. Every young wife deserves a washing machine and dryer! If home improvements are more your interest, $1,200 could help you replace uninteresting or out-dated lighting fixtures or ceiling fans - or maybe to buy a new front entry door.

Couples who have children qualify for an additional $300 per child under the government's stimulus plan. That means that a family of five should receive $2,100 from the federal government, and that helps a lot toward expensive home improvement projects, such as deck building. You could build a pretty nifty backyard playhouse for that amount, or maybe your home needs a new roof. $2,100 may not pay for the entire re-roof, but it would take care of a large portion of that cost. If you are one of those families who will receive a tax refund in addition to your stimulus, you're in good shape to really improve your most important investment - your home.

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You're The Builder

You're The Builder, The Pocono Mountains premiere Home Building Consultant Company is meeting the market head-on with it's new home building program aimed at being an answer to the foreclosure rates and low builder confidence that have plagued the region.

You're The Builder is a builder for the people! We will work as an advocate for you when building your dream home, vacation home, investment home or retirement home. Many people want to build their own homes, without the aid of a builder, because they have heard horror stories or because they know some things about construction. But if you aren't from the Poconos, and don't know the red tape and right suppliers and contractors - you can be costing yourself time and money. Once owner/builders realize how much is involved, they usually seek out a professional building company - and in the process pay much more than the home actually cost to build. Add the need for financing on top of that and you have a grossly over priced home.

With our program, a flat fee based on the square footage replaces a traditional builder's pricing structure. Most builders will charge a square footage rate, plus a % mark-up on all products and services associated with the building of the home. At You're The Builder, the savings are enormous, and we welcome all visitors to learn more at pocononewhomes.net.

ASK THE MASTER BUILDER

Anyone building their own home, or thinking of building can use this forum to ask
The Master Builder
questions or for guidance on anything from zoning permits to the final closing.

The Master Builder is home building consultant Chad Liero, a Pennsylvania native with 25 years experience in the construction and home building business. Learn More Certified in the 2003 and 2006 International Residential Code - he can be counted on to give the most up to date advice on any pitfall you may come up against when building your home. He welcomes your questions and will calm your home building/remodeling anxieties.

Just reply to this blog with your question and we will do our best to give a quick reply.

Pocono Vacation Homes

MANY DIFFERENT STYLES OF VACATION HOMES GRACE THE POCONO MOUNTIANS. THE MOST CLASSIC STYLE OF VACATION HOME THAT SEEMS TO ATTRACT SECOND HOME BUYERS AND BUILDERS IS THE MOUNTAIN CHALET. THE CHALET PROVIDES AN OPEN FLOOR PLAN, HIGH CEILINGS IN THE DINING & LIVING AREAS, AND IS DESIRABLE TO VACATIONERS.

YOU CAN BUILD A CHALET IN THE POCONOS FOR $80 PER FOOT COMPLETE

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Where to build in the Pocono Mountains

With it's spectacular views and wealth of open space, the Pocono Mountains has fast become one of the most sought out destinations for quiet, country living. Also attractive about the region is the fact that home prices are much more affordable than many New York and New Jersey residents can find in their own states. A problem facing those interested in moving or building here is not knowing the region well enough to make an informed decision about where they will live. A building consultant from the area can help you make the right choice for you and your family. They will know what areas to stay away from, and which are a good investment.

There are different options for folks moving to the Poconos. You can move into or build a home in an amenity-filled community. These are usually gated, secure developments that offer their residents amenities such as lakes, swimming pools, playgrounds, etc. One such development is Arrowhead Lakes in Pocono Lake. Of course there are plenty of homes and plenty of land outside of developments, if you are interested in privacy or bigger parcels of land. If you are moving to the Poconos, check out the Relocation Guide.