I'm brand new to land buying and new construction, and I could really use your advice and guidance. I'm hoping to buy a piece of land east of Asheville (think Black Mountain, Swanna) and build a small A-frame home to use as a short-term rental.

This would be my first land purchase and first new build, and while I'm excited, I'm also aware that there’s a lot I don't know — and I don’t even know what I don’t know!

Here are some questions I have so far:

How can I properly evaluate raw land before buying it, especially with short-term rental goals in mind?
What hidden issues should I be on the lookout for (septic, zoning, utilities, access, etc.)?
Who are the key people I need to bring onto my "team" early in the process?
For those familiar with the area, what are realistic ballpark costs for land prep, utility installation, permits, and building a simple but nice A-frame?
Would you suggest buying land separately or looking for something that’s already part of a land/home package for a first-timer?
What mistakes have you made (or seen others make) that I should try to avoid?
Any recommendations for good local builders, prefab companies, or lenders that cater to this type of project?
How much extra budget cushion would you recommend building in?

If you've done anything similar, I would love to hear your experience, even if it didn’t go perfectly. Thank you so much in advance for any advice, tips, or even just encouragement — it’s a little overwhelming but I'm excited to learn!

Asheville, North Carolina

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First-time land purchase + A-frame build east of Asheville for STR — advice needed!

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