Home and 

Land Tools

Help finding and buying property, and building the right house

Books for Building

Our best suggestions of books for country home building (choosing land, home design & building)

5 Ways to Build a House

1. Traditional owner-builder

2. Owner-manager 

3. Owner-builder partnership

4. … click to read more

Web Resources

A list of online building resources including building code checks and land listings 

Vintage Farm Plans

Classic plans from early issues of Popular Mechanics and other do-it-yourself magazines

How to Build a Home that will Last

How to ensure your house has a long life and is built right for your lifestyle

Vermont 10’x16’ Shed w/Loft

“Spring is here and so is my siding order! This weekend I managed to get the trim…”

Best Design for a Single Builder

“The basic question:  I am looking at three designs, The 16' Victoria, the 20’…”

Tiny Getaway Cottage

This little 10’x14’ cabin was built for $1400 by my two sons and I. We worked part time for about three weeks…

Thoughts about Design

What I wrote up for new design clients when I first started out designing houses

Thought Experiments

What is it that makes one owner/builder successful and creative, and another confused and discouraged?

Our Caretaker Future

Where the Internet and human evolution may be headed

About the Designer

Meet John Raabe