- If I purchase a Forest Reserve homesite do I own the trees?
Yes. When you purchase a Forest Reserve homesite, you are purchasing both the land and the trees that are growing on it. You can choose to manage your forest as an investment, continue to let it grow in it's present state for recreational purposes or use it for both.
- Why is there an Owners Association and what are the annual dues?
Each of our Forest Reserve communities has an owners association that exists to help protect the investments of property owners. Besides maintaining the upkeep of the primary roads, electronic entry gates and community areas within each community, they also enforce the protective covenants for each community along with providing insurance for liability of all roads, community areas and trails. Property Owners dues differ for each community based on the length of roads and trails to maintain along with the size of community areas, but for 2006 the annual dues for the Nisqually River Forest Reserve will be $851 and the Silver Lake Forest Reserve is still being determined.
- I only want 5 acres to build a home and live on. What would I do with 10 or 20 acres?
It is entirely your option on what you choose to do with the remainder of your property that you are choosing not to build on. Douglas Fir trees are wonderful in that they continue to grow with very little maintenance at all (you may want to clear the brush or prune your trees to improve your forest values). Many past customers have told us that they plan to manage a small area around their home and they'll let the rest of their forest grow with little maintenance. In fact, with 10 to 20 acres surrounding you it will just give you more privacy, peace and quiet!
- Are there any building codes and other related laws on what I can or cannot build?
Our protective covenants give our property owners a large amount of flexibility in what they can and cannot build. One of the few restrictions we have in place in all of our Forest Reserve communities is the use of manufactured homes. While building a home you are allowed to live in a manufactured home for up to 2 years on property, but after that time period it is not allowed. Restrictions on what is or is not allowed will come from the County's building restrictions.
- I understand that I can hook up to power and telephone inside the communities, but how do I get water and sewer for the home that I’m going to construct?
You will be responsible for drilling a well for water and establishing a drainfield and septic tank for your waste disposal. In order to make it easier for you to get an estimate of how deep you will need to drill or what type of drainfield system you will need, we will provide you with a Water Assessment Report and Soils Report for each of our Forest Reserve communities. The Water Assessment Report gives you an idea of what depths have been drilled in the surrounding area for wells along with local well driller’s cost estimate for a well of similar depth. The Soils Report gives a soils profile of your homesite from three different test holes that were dug and recommends a drainfield system that you will most likely have to install for that type of soil. Both of these reports will help you gain a better understanding of what you’ll need to install in the future for your new home.
- When I purchase a Forest Reserve homesite it comes with a Forest Management Plan. Who can I call to explain to me the forest management plan and demonstrate how to use this plan?
Each of our Forest Reserve homesites does come with a forest management plan, which was created by an independent professional forester. This plan has a suggested outline of how to manage a specific forest site as far as what you will need to do and when. By following this Forest Management plan you could potentially increase the yield of the Douglas Fir trees by up to 30 percent. Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Development Company, as a courtesy to prospective customers, offers a free 3 hour session with a professional forester to explain the Forest Management plan to you, walk you through your property and answer any questions that you have about a property before closing. This way you should have a better understanding of the potential future value of the trees of our property.
- I've received a copy of an analysis map of our property and it provides a sketch of the layout of the acreage along with topography, direction of prevailing winds, potential views and wetland areas. On the analysis map it shows a potential building area. Do I have to build in this potential homesite area?
No, you do not have to build in the potential homesite area but can build anywhere on a property where conditions allow. We created these analysis maps since our homesites are quite large (20+ acres) and they allow you to gain a better understanding of the acreage on paper before you visit it in person. You are welcome to build where you want given your preference for light, exposure and the cost of development, but we've placed where we felt the best "potential" building sites on the map would be to make it easier for you.
- What kind of recreational opportunities can I enjoy on my Forest Reserve homesite?
Recreational opportunities abound in our Forest Reserve communities and with the excellent location of our properties, you’re convenient to everything. On your Forest Reserve homesite you can hike through the woods or ride your horse through your forest. Inside our communities, you can have a barbecue at one of our community recreation areas or go for a bike ride along the community’s primary roads. Finally, outside our communities you have great access to sport shooting, fishing in a local lake or river, hunting in the national forest, hiking in a national park or riding an off-road vehicle at a local ORV park. Our Forest Reserve communities are simply a great place to be for recreational opportunities!
- Can I build more than one residence on my property?
You would need to follow the County's land use regulations on what you can or cannot build on your property and you should contact the County that your property is located in to get these answers. This is dependent upon the County that your property is located in and the definitions the County has for primary residence, accessory dwellings and out buildings.
- Can I choose to subdivide my property?
Potentially you can choose to subdivide your property but there are a number of different factors you would need to evaluate before doing so. The County's zoning of the property will give you parameters for what type, if any, of subdivision could take place without having the property re-zoned. Road standards from a public road to a potential subdivision can play a large part in determining the economic feasibility of dividing or subdividing your property.
- What type of financing is available?
Financing for land can sometimes be a difficult to find. Many lenders are not familiar with the Forest Reserve concept or may not be interested in providing financing for land in general. Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Development Company has relationships with lenders who are familiar with what we are selling and the process by which we sell land. For more information on financing available visit the Financing Acreage section of the website.
- Can I use all the roads in the community? What else can I use in the community?
As a property owner in one of our Forest Reserve communities you have the rights to use all primary roads, community areas and trails. Primary roads are the main roads used to access a majority of the community, therefore making them accessible to everyone. There are also secondary roads inside our communities, which provide access from a primary road to some homesites. The only people that have access to secondary roads would be the property owners that have easement rights to use that road due to their properties needing access. All community areas, trails and entrances, which are under the control of the Owners Association, are accessible to all property owners and can be used for recreation, family functions or other activities.
- Can I hunt on my property or inside the community?
Hunting is not allowed inside any of our Forest Reserve communities due to safety concerns. However, many of our communities are located close to National Forests or other land available for public hunting, so while you cannot hunt on your property you normally have very close access to hunting areas.
- What kind of wildlife can I find on my property?
When you purchase a Forest Reserve homesite you are buying your own forest along with all of the wildlife it contains. You could potentially find a tremendous variety of wildlife, from beavers to bears, eagles to owls and elk to deer. Depending on the different forest stands on your property, you may have numerous environments that support completely different types of wildlife!
