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We may have the opportunity to move to a new state in 2022. Looking at real estate in the area where we would move, nothing has us excited - and we're sick of living in suburbs - so we're considering buying land and building. We wouldn't be able to afford a true homestead, but could get at least 1-2 acres.

Has anyone here bought a plot and built a house before? Any pitfalls to look out for? Would you build again or buy in the future?

We may have the opportunity to move to a new state in 2022. Looking at real estate in the area where we would move, nothing has us excited - and we're sick of living in suburbs - so we're considering buying land and building. We wouldn't be able to afford a true homestead, but could get at least 1-2 acres. Has anyone here bought a plot and built a house before? Any pitfalls to look out for? Would you build again or buy in the future?

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[–] • 1 pt (edited )

Go steel. Especially if you are in the US Midwest. Due to current prices you could even go concrete, for about the same as lumber depending on your area. ICF blocks have come a long way and it's gotten easier to find builders that know it. https://www.cement.org/cement-concrete/paving/buildings-structures/concrete-homes/building-systems-for-every-need/insulating-concrete-forms-(ICFs)

If you're cool with something more unconventional then look into monolithic domes. Things are actually price equivalent per square footage to framed/conventional and as close as you can get to disaster proof without actually being a bunker. https://www.monolithic.org/domes

[–] • 0 pt

Fuckin rad. We had a tornado touch down about a mile from our current house relatively recently, which prompted our interest in steel. Definitely need to do some research on the monolithic domes.

[–] • 1 pt

M. Domes have survived 5 ton bunker buster bombs intact. Tornadoes/high winds flow right past their round shapes while resisting debris perfectly. The steel reinforced concrete won't burn in a wildfire, and the insides stay cool. Won't float away in a flood and can be waterproofed. They surf over earthquakes as self contained uniform units. I don't see zombies clawing their way in either,lol.