Thanks for your input carolins! I agree we would like to be place at least partially in the woods for that woodland view. If we didn't place it directly in that back forest, we considered putting it along the tree line but unsure at this point how to balance the home partially in the woods and in the field shown.

Depending on how attractive that lake is in person, I think it would be lovely to put it right where the field meets the trees at the southwest corner of the lake. Even though the lake isn't yours, you can still benefit from the view! Another thing you should do is to pick 2-3 top choices for locations, and then get some soil tests done in those areas. Finding a high water table or rock ledge can really add to the expense of the project so it is better to find out as soon as possible.

If you're willing and able, get a tent and all the kit for a comfortable overnight stay and, whenever you've got a spare night or two, plot yourselves at various locations you think would work. That way you'll get a feel for where the sun rises and sets, how the winds blow, how the light shifts throughout the day, where the wet ground is (!), and this might help you decide.

Fun! My only caveat would be, don't build because of a particular tree - anyone I know who did that was just so extremely distressed when they lost the tree (as often happens on and near building sites), it was heart-breaking, and tarnished their opinion of their dream home.

I would also consider the topology and the drainage. Not sure how much rainfall you get but we may get several inches in a thunderstorm and it has to run somewhere. Costs of a driveway would likely be much less than costs for proper drainage if not building on higher ground.

Be sure to position the home to have the sunrise/sunset exactly where you'd like to see in the morning and evening. Also, this may sound silly, but stand in different locations on the property and put your hands/index finger and thumbs like an "L" with the thumbs touching at eye level. Then, peer through the opening as if looking out each window of the house. (Like an artist deciding on their painting composition). That will help you decide on the view for each room. Congratulations on your new build!

I agree on the water view. Placing the house in the woods but allowing for a water view below would be great. Hard to tell but it is either a pond or retention pond. A woods location with a panoramic view with water can be stunning. With respect to the house (two cents). Make sure you have your parking and main floor on the same level with outdoor entertainment area on same level too. The three car garage picture is my favorite. Have a master bedroom on the main living floor too so you don't have to move if you become unable to navigate stairs effectively. Perhaps also include a space where one could put a residential elevator if ever needed to resolve potential navigation issues. (we are all indestructible now) I am sure you will have multiple levels based on terrain which will make the house fantastic. Consider the evenings and BUGS. Screened areas where you can enjoy morning and evenings bug-free with wonderful views. (with respect to the driveway, it seems that no matter the location, your driveway will be LONG)

Beautiful piece of property! We had a similar dilemna when building our home, initially wanted to build in the middle of the woods. Ultimately we decided not to for several reasons: 1. the mosquitos! 2. we wanted lawn/gardens near the house which would not do well in deep shade plus would require us to clear a very large area. 3. we felt the woods (while beautiful) would not give us the sweeping views we wanted if trees surrounded us. So, I would recommend that you build somewhere on the edge of woods/open area to have the best of both. Everyone has good ideas about analyzing the property from every perspective to see topography, light, drainage, winds, etc. Good luck, you have a wonderful place to work with!

Already quite a few amazing suggestions as well as things I haven't considered!

@ eelyram7- Actually I didn't include this in the description. But the land, lake and home next door (top of picture) are actually the in laws! So we do have access to lake. I suppose it may come down to balancing views of the lake with privacy from next door ;)

Bubblylock I'm loving the overnight idea. I'm going to run by the idea with my wife because as you said, an overnight stay might give us insight we otherwise wouldn't get before being the house.

And drainage is definitely a factor we have to keep in mind especially considering the length of the driveway. We thought of running the driveway along the tree line as the land is flat until that western treeline and then slopes sharply after.

Darzy thank you for the congratulations! I will have to try out the window perspective. I have been on the property what seems like countless times but this may make it a bit more concrete in viewpoints.

I'm glad you included some thoughts on the home as well David. I must confess its hard for me as I am big fan of varied levels/spaces using but as you bring up, I have to balance this with considerations of the future. I have actually considered having the garage on slightly lower level (somewhat like the first photo), but then also incorporating a parking spacing at entrance level for convenience purposes.

Varied levels are wonderful for sure and no matter the design you are sure to get them. Livability is key. (Don't also forget some private spaces for reading, tv watching, contemplation) we have an open floor plan and the only private areas on the first floor are laundry room and the loo.

Some good advice already, but make sure you choose an architect whose design responds integrally to its site and have them walk the site with you beforehand.

Fabulous advice by everybody and love the spend the night suggestion to get a feel for how the sun really travels which is critical to the house's placement.

200% agree with edge of the woods placement. You can have enveloping privacy on one side and wide open sun on the other.

Moving into the woods would take away the sun, result in tree destruction and would make the driveway costs soar. I live on 10 acres off a private road and believe me, the cost of a driveway is $$$$$$$$$$$$. I would definitely get prepared for some sticker shock, not only for the initial cost, but for maintenance which can add up if there are topography issues which increase wear and tear.

Great advice about minimizing stairs in a retirement home. Actually a low house with lots of windows wrapping around he trees could give you a much more open view feeling than a more compressed two story.

It sounds as though many agree it should be built somehow straddling part of the wood line. You see an example of one of our original driveway/home placement ideas in red. To clarify, is it being suggested we built as in the white sketch just on the edge? Or are most of you implying we should possibly build earlier up the driveway along the woodline?

As for the driveway, mcbriec I sadly have been hit with some of the numbers for the driveway now and am trying to work some magic to make it work. We can't go directly straight through the field but as in the picture we thought it best to follow the tree line as this fairly level strip all the way to the house (except for one culvert needed). This would allow for relatively little excavation, drainage, and tree removal for the driveway at least. We just would have to find a way to afford to run the utilities and purchasing gravel. Has anyone done some work in this way to save such as pre-dig the trench for utilities or put the gravel down themselves?

Hmm... that spot was what I had in mind initially, but how about somewhere where the red and white line part ways?
Living in the woods also means more maintenance on the house. My home is surrounded by lots of large trees. Things that shouldn't be green are, like walls, patios.... No sun means that everything stays damp much longer. Also... lots of leaves in gutters.
However, on the upside... in warm weather our home is always cool inside :-)

What will the brown open areas be as the season progresses? Cropland? Pasture? Are you planning to add any outbuildings such as barns, workshop, equipment storage etc? Will you have animals that require fenced pastures? If so, all those things should be taken into consideration as well as they might affect placement of the house. Also, does it snow in your area?? Plowing a long driveway is not an easy task.

Wow, you have your work cut out for you (no pun intended)! What a beautiful home you are planning on building. And great piece of property! While I am not a site surveyor, I just wanted to remind you about the general natural light rules of thumb when deciding which way to set your foundation:

Homes facing East have sunrises.
Homes facing West have sunsets.
Homes facing North or South tend to get less natural light. However, you can place your living areas to maximize daylight:


If the front of your block faces south, place living areas at the rear of your home.

If the front of your house faces east or west, place living areas at the rear of your home, facing onto the north side of your block (this maximizes natural light).

If the front of your house faces north, try placing your living areas at the front of your home and increasing your setback from the street with a private, spacious front garden.

Hope this helps! Thanks for reading. -Andie @purehome.com

Also, I would recommend that you check with your township ordinances to see if there are any restrictions that might affect things. For example, where I live there is a rule that you can't build a barn between your house and the street. Our house is set way back on the property so that when it came time to build a barn the only open land was between our house and the street. Fortunately we were able to get the township trustees to grant a variance so we could build. All cities and townships can vary on their regulations, so it might be good to contact your area's building department for their input.

You have a great property. Excellent suggestions already. I would look at overall plans to develop the area. There's already a cul de sac development to the south. Keep the next twenty years in mind when you plan for the house location. It's pretty annoying to find your long view interrupted by perfectly legal new housing developments or a new prison with lights shining at night from 10 miles away or a loud fire station built on the corner when a new development needed it. Choosing where you site the house can mitigate these concerns. Think long term.

Also, you may need to consider fencing the property if trespassing kids from the nearby houses create a problem in the woods. It's not necessary to be un-neighborly, but kids often find a big woods irresistible.

BTW...I much prefer the sunset at the front of the house. Sitting on the back patio with the sun blaring in your eyes is not comfortable, and a patio cover doesn't help. Morning sun on the back patio is nice. :)

Ooo... Darzy is right. Good point. And true!

Natural light is definitely something I have to carry as a factor. I have fiddled with Google Earth in being able to change the time of day for the imagery on. It is great to see where the light hits first and the morning and last in the evening. As many of you said though, it doesn't substitute a trip to the site to see the light.

With respect to living in the woods, I am currently weighing our concerns as well as everyones advice given here. The reason we wanted to be in contact with the forest is because the most comforting home I visited was a house that had elevated views into a wooded ravine . All you could see out the windows were the upper limbs of the trees lower on the hill.

This was a achieved by building on a wooded, sloped lot with a basement, allowing for the the living areas on those parts of home to seemingly float in the trees. The effect seems to be lost however when its simply overlooking a field or trees off in the distance.

As with the white drawing, perhaps we could simply clear trees in the immediate vicinity to avoid too much shade, gutter problems, etc. but still achieve that effect.

Depends how handy you are with a bull dozer, excavator or bob-cat. That driveway will definitely cost you a pretty penny. You may wish to invest in a used TRACKED Bob-cat that has an enclosed cab. Like a Bobcat T180, T190, T200 (other brands too ASV, Gehl). Used they cost $16000-$24000 BUT you could probably sell it for close to the same price after using it for 6 months or more just moving material on your driveway. The tracks ensure you don't get stuck in mud. Equipment operators cost $100/hour with a machine. Renting one is $500/week or more. Besides, they are fun to operate. Get a well maintained one! Found some good info on the road building on a site called practicalmachinist using road fabric, one contributor from Kentucky wrote: "USDA Soil Conservation Service sells it at cost to the landowner"

We walked 125 acres for days and finally chose a bluff overlooking the bottoms and creek with woods all around. Bluff in #1 is house location and #2 is the view from up top. Take your time, have a perk test done when you find your perfect spot, and if it doesn't qualify, have a second and third option ready to test.

decoenthusiaste, WOW

Oh, and don't forget to give yourself a few choices, as you'll presumably need a well, and some spots may be easier to dig than others.

Happy camping! Don't forget the bug juice and the champagne - everything else is just icing on the cake.

We rent it as a vacation property if you ever want a super vacation, carolins!

Can't remember when I had a vacation, let alone a super vacation. I'll keep it in mind :-) It's a very, very impressive spot!

decoenthusiaste @ stunning, always wanted water near my land