We live in the country also, so I can understand all the outbuildings. How about building in the area right in front of where you are now living (#3) after cutting down a couple of those trees? Or build a little further down where the driveway splits? That will be a great driveway when it comes to parties or family get-togethers.

Or you could build on the right hand side around building #5. Hard to tell without topography.

Well, something I just learned the hard way -- check your local requirements about storm water. My RURAL area is now requiring storm water designs to be done for all impermeable surfaces (that includes stone driveways). The property is 120 acres, and I chose nice, private spot.....what I didn't know is the horrific headache that all of that new driveway would cause me!!! If I had know....would have picked a different spot. Took close to a year, but finally have all the permits in place and the basement goes in next week.

So, please, check your local requirements and know if additional driveways/impermeable surfaces need to be addressed before choosing a location.

simmtalker, I also live in a rural area, but am subjected to the storm water requirement (anything over 2000 sq foot of permeable soil disturbance). Our parcel is 32 acres.

It's annoying, but a requirement we have to follow!

I'm rural as well. I'm voting for behind 4, as far behind as I can get to have a fantastic view of that pond. And, I'm also staying away from the gravel out front (which I assume you live on). The further back in the trees and if I could get closer to that water (and away from gravel dust), the better it would be for me! One other thought....use the hillside between the storage shed and horse barn as a walkout basement and have the view of the pond from there? The thing is, I'm all about trees. You're pretty far away from trees right there from what I can tell.

Based on personal experience and the books "Farm Knowledge", site the house up-wind from the horse barn and other animal related structures.

I also agree with Virgil.

I really wish I had a topographic map of the area! The space south of 3 (our current house) is all sloped down hill and the trees at the bottom of the yard are actually in a slough. The area north of 4 and 5 is also sloped downhill but to the north to the slough and would be below the level of the driveway if we built back there. The area east of 5 is actually all horse pasture and we don't own too far that direction, plus there are no trees which Is unfortunate. We have only owned this land for ~4 years and we have planted almost 15 trees, but they just take time to grow!! Trees in North Dakota are a rare find, and in the broad scheme of things, the number of mature trees in our yard is huge in comparison to many others! Really want to take down as few as possible when constructing our home since they are rare!

As far as the storm water management, is there any resource about the requirements in any particular state or county that anyone knows about? To my knowledge, we don't have any specific requirements, and my parents and cousin just built new homes in the last 3 years. However, I would like to know as much as possible as early into this as possible to be prepared!

Thank you all for the contributions! It would be great to have an architect come out and walk the property with us, but I don't want to get involved before getting a budget so as to not waste their time! Its a confusing game the architect and the bank play...I've been told to not visit with an architect until you have a budget, which of course makes sense....went to the bank and they told us that we needed to have a plan drawn up and a ballpark figure of what we wanted to borrow for a mortgage....which comes first?!

I would consider what you are comfortable spending in a month on your mortgage. There are many calculators out there that will help you estimate the payments based on down payments and loan amounts. Make sure you include taxes, insurance, etc. Start there and then maybe talk to an architect.

I have never borrowed what the banks would allow me to. I enjoy travelling and having a life outside my home too much.

As to where its up to your priorities but I would want views of the lake and trees.

Contact your local municipality about storm water. Wherever you would go for building permits should know or be able to direct you to the agency handling storm water, if any. If there is storm water, be prepared to be bounced around -- because it is so new, not everyone involved (including the PAID engineers) can agree upon what the course of action should be, and exactly what needs to be done to satisfy the laws without over designing/building the water facilities.

North Dakota ?!?!?! I spent many childhood summers in North Dakota. Where did you find trees??

Omg Mark I came here to say exactly that!

Also, pay close attention to prevailing winds.

I'd get an architect involved who is a native son or daughter and understands the ND elements.

I will definitely check into the water system...hubby said we don’t have anything like that in the country but if it’s new then he may just not know.

As for the trees, my family was awesome at planting apparently!!! Which i am extremely thankful for!

Anyone know of any architects in NE North Dakota that would be interested in a job like this?! Mark maybe you would enjoy visiting?! :)

I'll just ad that you may want to consider climate change. One devastated a lot of immigrants to the prairies long ago. Another one is already beyond the threshold and into the foyer.

How can you plan to hang on to your land, water...and trees?

I think the randomness of climate change weather impacts means we can't plan specifically for hanging on to land, water, or trees. The best we can do is plan for existing conditions, be able to change with future conditions (adaptability and resilience), and hope for the best.

Planning for the foreseeable is wise. Trying to predict the unpredictable is an exercise in futility and can actually have detrimental affects on mental health; just ask Y2K.