Lisa Prieto
Home Buyer
Orlando, FL

We are building a home. I inquired early on about the grading of the backyard, as it slopes down into a wetlands. The discussion was glossed over and I was told there would be a slope but that final grading had not been done yet. Then last week I inquired again about the grading. I was then told that it would be 8 feet wide at grade and then slope 3:1 for the remainder of the 17 feet of the backyard to the property line per ordinance. I called the City and as I thought it is not City ordinance, but the grading plan does call for the 3:1 slope off the back of the house. In addition they put the house 10 feet further back than necessary, which would have at least given us 18 feet at grade. I have called them and told them that we are extremely disappointed and have told them I'd like a retaining wall so we can use our backyard. Any advice? Would this reduce the value of the home - if so by how much? It's 3100 sf and the lot is a hair under 1/4 acre with purchase price of $373k. Tx-Lisa