please add two more pictures: go to the open doorway and take a picture facing the berm. (It would be same as above, but from the doorway.) Then, go outside, move to one side or the other and take a picture looking back across what will be the future deck or patio ... in order that the berm slope can be shown relative to the house.

Yardvaark---I haven't purchased the home yet so only have this one pic from the real estate listing :( I have my inspection on Wed and will take more pics then.

In the mean time, why don't you poke around to see what regulations there might be about building close to berm and find out who owns body of water?

Its a lake (actually a dammed up part of the WI River) and I would own 90 feet of frontage ;) That's why I want this place---for the water---the house and yard (and neighborhood unfortunately) aren't great :(

Still, there will be controls regarding what/how you can build. It would be good to have a general idea of the constraints. Doubt it will be any problem for what you want, but you will need to know if you can encroach on the berm.

I will own the berm--its right in the backyard between the house and the lake.

For your property, what is the 100 year flood elevation indicated on the FEMA maps and studies?

What is the floor elevation of the house?

Where I live you cannot build anything within 200' of a body of water. Which is about 2/3 of my lot. I thought federal regulations were 100'.

There is no elevation study for this home and according to my insurance agent, I won't need one done in order to get flood insurance.

I only want to lay a patio or put a ground level deck in right outside my patio door. The lake isn't *that* close so I don't anticipate there being a problem with doing this.

There is no elevation study for this home and according to my insurance agent, I won't need one done in order to get flood insurance.

I only want to lay a patio or put a ground level deck in right outside my patio door. The lake isn't *that* close so I don't anticipate there being a problem with doing this.

Maybe you'll add those pictures soon ....?

Height of the berm? How much of the 90' (?) berm do you wish to landscape? Presently it appears to be all grass, difficult to mow or control? How is present owner maintaining the berm?
Any concern about trapped snow build-up between berm and house that could cause spring runoff leaking into house?