Define your goals and expectations

• Privacy
• View
• Cost of land and development/improvement
• Location in regard to schools, services, ferry, etc.
• Open land or woods
• Functions (house, garden, pasture, shop, orchard, woodlot, pond, etc.)

Look at the land and note features

• Slope
• Soil consistency
• Signs of erosion
• Vegetation
• Wetlands or streams
• Condition of bluff
• Wind patterns
• Water table
• Surrounding land use (neighbors, potential clearcuts, potential developments, zoning, etc.)

Consider Costs

• Water: Be sure there is adequate water for your needs. Determine total cost of obtaining water (hook-up to existing water systems, well installations)
• Utilities: Power and telephone
• Septic Systems: Require a soil log (perc test) to help you determine the probable cost of an on-site septic system.
• Surface Water Drainage
• Easements: Make sure you have necessary easements for access and that you are aware of any limiting easements which might exist.
• Clearing and Grading: Determine the costs of clearing for view, house-site, etc. and road construction and grading.

Before Building Consider

• Property Lines: Make sure you know where property lines are.
• Legal Building Site: Be certain that you have room to build given possible constraints such as wetland or stream buffers, bluff setbacks, or local covenants. Check zoning.
• Access Permit Requirements: Contact Island County Permit Center for requirements if your access is from a county road.
• House-site: Consider the position of the Sun in the winter and if the site will get enough light.