Fire hydrants and power boxes

Secondary services

   Can’t live without your satellite TV or high speed internet connection? Be sure to check that any services along these lines are not only available at your potential lot, but that you are able to use them in your community. For example, some communities do not allow certain kinds of satellite dishes or have a “package” deal for phone/TV/internet and so on built into the HOA dues. Find out before you sign that contract.

Power boxes

   Your potential lot will probably have either power line poles or a transformer at the road. A transformer is typically a large metal box, often green in color, that supplies power the power your home. They can be rather unattractive, and may require maintenance regularly. You have probably seen shrubs and landscaping planted around these boxes. Just make sure you’d be able to hide these on a lot you’re looking at if the appearance of them bothers you (or your spouse!).

Fire hydrants

   First of all, is there a fire hydrant close by the homesite you’re looking at? If your lot is in a community that has fire hydrants, pay special attention to the location of a hydrant that may be on a piece of residential land you are looking at? Is it in the dead center of the lot? Is it right about where you may want to put a driveway? It is possible to get fire hydrants moved in some areas, however it is something you’ll probably have to foot the bill for, and the fee can be considerable. More than one fire hydrant has been run over because it was too close to a driveway.