Land Studies
Rapid
Standard
Signature
Hogback rocks
Previous signs of hunting
Wildlife analysis
Four season studies
Identify and confirm boundaries
Wildlife identification
Eric & Valerie J.
“Paul was timely, professional, and meticulous in how he attacked the project, but in a word, the greatest benefit of the study was education.”
Choose from three Land Studies:
RAPID, STANDARD, or SIGNATURE
Land Studies Include…
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Physical Features
+ Experience the land by walking every square yard of it – Use a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracked reconnaissance multiple times to review the land.
+ Inventory native plants and trees – understand the flora, what’s dominant and interesting
+ Insects – native and invasive species on the parcel
+ Geology and soils – drainage, wetlands, rock, and other features
+ Water features – streams, lakes, ponds
+ Hydrology - flood, perennial overflow analysis
+ Invasive – insects, plants, and animals
+ Hard/softwood analysis – explain the difference and impacts
+ Contour and slope analysis – road/building/site layout/drainage
+ Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Analysis – overflight of the overall parcel and area of interest. Google Earth timeline analysis provides 40 years of historical information.
+ Timber harvesting past – clear-cut, select harvest, planting, underwater seepage
+ Soil disturbance and Erosion – Dangers and need for seeding
+ Design and usage of large rocks and boulders – potential and concerns
+ Trail mapping – present and potential trail areas
+ Wildlife/Hunting information – game trails, camera review
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Legal Features
+ Contract Diligence period –identify any/all site constraints (such as floodplain, wetlands, steep slope or other sensitive areas, setbacks and open space requirements, lot coverage limitations, and building height restrictions), length of the period, escape clauses
+ Encroachment prevention: physical features, gates, fences, signage
+ Dumping and hazards – above-ground knowledge, trash, junk, waste
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Political Features
+ Taxes – per county
+ Zoning – know what’s possible/permissible
+ Land use, agriculture, conservation easements, rights-of-way
+ Subdivision ideas – possible and permissible
+ County Comprehensive and Transportation Plans impacts – understand the forward-looking plans and jurisdiction policies
+ GIS/Neighbors – history of ownership, potential concerns
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Build Ready Features
+ Ease of getting road access, electricity, a water well, and a drain field
+ Site layout recommendations – build in harmony with the land layout
+ Adjacent parcel future development knowledge
+ Forest mulching (+/-) - when to use this service for the right purpose
+ Well assessment – possible placement, potential depth
+ Solar declination & cardinal direction layout – sunrise/sunset with annual calendar
+ Cable, cell, or satellite communications – AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, or Starlink
+ Noise – industry, traffic, dogs, neighbors, hunting
+ Wildlife camera 30-day analysis – what animals are favorable and nuisance
+ Previous tree harvest – tree age, dominant species, concerns
+ Maintenance – gravel driveway, all costs for equipment and time
+ Potential features – trails, pond siting, outbuildings, wells, cell towers