Hello all,
I recently purchased a property in NE Georgia, not too far from the Carolinas. It's only half an acre, but the plan is to buy up the end of the road over time (unpaved, somewhat eroded dirt/gravel road on a mountain, right next to the Chattahoochee NF). The property is a south-facing slope, and is rather steep. There's a good amount of vegetation compared to the neighboring properties. I've taken lots of pictures and can provide a sketch of the terrain if necessary. I should probably get it surveyed to see where my actual boundary lines are. I walked around & sketched some boundaries on my photos based on where my location on Google Maps settled in relation to the property lines shown on the app. I might also want to see about measuring out the dimensions of the building on the property somehow. Like I said, I have no idea how to go about things - aside from just doing it. The plot is in a residential area on a mountain. No HOA, though the county restricts minimum building size on R1 properties to about 630sqft.. which is fine. I've adjusted my dimensions accordingly. I think I had a <500sqft design before I read the ordinances.
I also came up with a "blueprint" for the house I'd like to build (pictures below). I read somewhere that hewn pine heartwood is better than round when building in Appalachia. Not sure if that's accurate; my memory has failed me before. Anywho, I'd like the basement level to be made from stone and lime mortar. Ideally it'd be my trapping/work area, but I worry that it would be too humid. I think if that's the case, and I can't use it for food storage, I may forgo the basement entirely. The living area will have a loft for sleeping.
I am working with limited monetary resources, but that's never stopped me from following through with an idea. I'm not sure where I'll be sourcing anything from, aside from maybe a couple of trees off the property.
Each square is 1/4" and 1/4" = 1'.
I'd like opinions, suggestions, and all of the advice ever. I've never built a house before - shoot, I'm surprised my rabbit hutch is still standing after almost two years!
