Dwell Underground

Posts Tagged ‘construction’

underground house:

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Building Underground: The Design and Construction Handbook for Earth-Sheltered Houses

“Building Underground” is a compilation of the experiences of others as tempered and translated through my own store of knowledge and experience. Throughout, my goal is to provide you with information rather than instruction. It would have been a lot easier to take specific site and climate conditions and provide specific instructions for design and construction. While that approach is not without merit, it cannot provide the reader with the information needed to make a decision. My aim has been

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underground house:

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Question by gamblin man: Advice for getting a construction loan for an underground house?
Anybody know of any financial institutions that don’t have a problem with financing a fully earth sheltered home? Our bank says we have more than enough assets for collateral for a construction loan, but they’re concerned our income is not enough to make the payments until we sell our present home and property, even though we have enough in savings which could be used for this purpose for about two years, if necessary. Their concern is the unconventional construction– if we were to default, they would have a difficult time reselling it, whereas they would have no problem if it were conventional construction. Never mind that it’s more durable than a stick-built house, will have drastically lower heating bills, the technology is there to keep it both light and dry– the bank looks at it as if we’re talking about living in a cave. So does anyone know of any financial institutions that are okay with underground housing? PS– we’re in Wisconsin, but will go out of state, if we must.
Mary B and valstpatrick, there are several earth-sheltered and underground homes in this area, they’re hardly unique. Unusual, but with fuel prices going nuts, the idea of only having to pay an estimated $ 70 a YEAR for heat (in Wisconsin, no less) makes it very attractive for resale. If we were able to sell our house and extra property right now, our mortgage would be about $ 20K. Not exactly a huge risk. But that’s the kind of thinking we’re getting. RealtorV has it right– there are bankers out there that will do it, I just need to contact them.

Best answer:

Answer by orntelove
I dont personally, but that is a great idea and would be a cool house.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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