How to get rid of a pond

dezingg · #21 09/09/10, 09:56 AM

I wonder what the soil at the pond's bottom looks like ... I keep thinking that the junk that I dig out of the bottom of my two metal ponds (8'dia and 6'dia) would be good for the garden. It's mostly decomposed leaves and fish poop.

It would be too much work, but it's too bad that the pond isn't close to the road and acting like a natural barrier for those midnight shoppers you're envisioning.

Frankly, I'm envious that you have a pond, especially if it doesn't require you to add water to it.

bruce2288 · #22 09/09/10, 12:36 PM

I think the EPA is the agency to be concerned about, along with your natural rescource district.

Michael W. Smith · #23 09/09/10, 12:54 PM

Manmade or not, I just don't see how filling it in with fill is going to create a garden area. I foresee a wet, soggy area where the soil never dries out and when it rains you sink 6" over your tennis shoes. It may work to grow rice, though!

edcopp · #24 09/09/10, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad

In my ongoing search for property, I located one that I will try to get if the one I'm working on now doesn't pan out. It's 3 acres with what looks to be a half acre pond. Whoever laid it out obviously had no plans to ever use the land for anything other than to look at. To have the garden I would want...large to sell produce...the pond would have to go. I know everyone else asks how to make a pond, but I'm always backwards, so I was wondering how you would go about getting rid of one and be able to use the land in that spot? The pond isn't the kind in a gully or with a dam on one end, it's just sort of a rectangle pond on flat ground. I may not have to worry about it, but if I do end up trying to get this property I will have to factor the cost involved in getting rid of the pond into my budget. Thank you.

Nomad

If the rainfall in your part of the state is like it is in my part of the state all you will need to do is wait. Dry as a bone here in Vinton County

Nomad · #25 09/09/10, 01:59 PM

Final Post on this....the property won't pass to get the VA loan. At least this realtor didn't make me wait two weeks to let me know I can't get it. So the search goes on.

Nomad

NorthCountryWd · #26 09/09/10, 02:13 PM

What disqualified it?

Are you stuck with the VA or can you go FHA homepath? This might be a better option for the fixer-upper type properties. VA can be strict.

Nomad · #27 09/09/10, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthCountryWd

What disqualified it?

Are you stuck with the VA or can you go FHA homepath? This might be a better option for the fixer-upper type properties. VA can be strict.

I have no credit and basically no down payment, so I think I need the VA. I qualify for a USDA loan and the property I originally wanted qualified also, but you need to wait 36 months after a bankruptcy and that would be August 2012. So I will probably use the VA unless I can get a lease to own for two years. I'm also afraid of the rates going up by then, so I'm not sure I'd want to wait that long. The realtor told me the pond house wouldn't qualify for a goverment loan before I even asked her and I'm trusting her to know. These properties are over four hours away, so I'm not able to run over and look. When I get to a place in negotiations that look promising, I will go and take a good look at whatever property I'm interested in. So far I've been going by pictures and what the realtors have told me.

Nomad

NorthCountryWd · #28 09/09/10, 02:39 PM

Gotcha.

I don't think VA has a fixer-upper program like the FHA 203k, so you might be limited in what you can look at. Anything 78 and older can't have peeling paint. If it has a well, it has to have appropriate setbacks from property line, septic, house & garage. Pretty sure they allow appliances to be missing, so you may still be able to look at foreclosures, but it would have to pass inspection, meaning all mechanical systems are sound and the property is in average or better shape.

There are a lot of waivers available for certain deficiencies, so you could try and press the issue.

Good luck.