A couple picks a parcel by reading the land with simple tools and patient notes. They test soil, trace sun and wind, and check access in bad weather. Water and power come first. They compare a drilled well to rain catchment, flag a cistern for gravity head, and size a modest solar setup with a quiet generator as backup. Paperwork and erosion control clear the way for grading and a septic perc. They beat a storm to dry-in with piers, framing, roof skin, wrap, and sealed openings, then fix a single leak on the fly. Systems start clean under lockout and tagout. Solar, batteries, transfer switch, propane, PEX freeze plan, septic, and a safe wood stove pass basic checks. Insulation and air sealing lower loads. A thermal mass corner, cold cupboard, gutters with first flush, and clear filtration turn a shell into shelter. The first season proves the plan. They log power, water, and heat, run drills, trade help with a neighbor, solve small setbacks, balance the budget, and set year two upgrades. Habits carry the house when weather turns.

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