1. Hire an engineering geologist or geotechnical engineer to evaluate the property and to:
    • Look up the soils on your site.
    • Run your Seattle address in the Seattle Landslide Study or if in another city or county check with the engineering department.
    • Do a site visit—give you observations and/or recommendations, etc.
  2. Obtain all “as builts” of structures on the site and those of the surrounding properties.
    • Determine whether there are there municipal structures nearby.
    • Some areas such as Perkins Lane or West Seattle have old WPA drains—you will want to know if such drains are nearby.
  3. Obtain historic aerials.
    • Especially if your property abuts the railroad tracks—evidence of small landslides and disruptions of service might be available.
    • Are there any erosional features on the land over time?
    • Has any of the land sloughed off or significantly receded?
  4. Obtain local maintenance and complaint records from your city.
    • Have there been surface water complaints in the area?
    • Does the local city maintain the streets, stormwater system, etc.—how often?
  5. Obtain landslide insurance — it’s a special rider and worth the price in peace of mind.