I am very novice when it comes to construction. So please pardon if I use any wrong terminology here. We are considering buying a lot on which abt 2400 square fairly rectangle walk out basement foundation has been already built. The lot was flat to begin with, but the builder has created a walk out option by making a slope of dirt on the front. We want to build an icf one and a half story home over the walk out basement. Do we have to use the same foundation if we want to build on it or can we change the plans without tearing it up? Do you see any negatives of using such a type of walk out? Thanks so much.

Some thoughts:

1. I'd be concerned about water and where it goes when it rains. It sounds like you've described what might become a pond when it rains. If there is no place for water to go than in your basement, that would be very bad.

2. Usage of the existing concrete may or may not be possible. It sounds like you don't like the footprint of the existing so some change would be needed to support your goals. If the existing was build for normal stick build, it is likely not big enough to support ICF.

3. Why did the sellers stop their project? If it is for some issue that would affect your build, they are required to tell you about it.

Thanks for the reply. Water should not be an issue as it looks like. Fron is graded so that water flows towards the road and back is graded is flat. Side yard slopes from front to back and has retaining walls on the sides o the foundation. You are right, we don't like the footprint of the lot.So would like to change it. Like want to make front and back larger and if possible move the house further close to road. Seller is the bank because builder/owner of the lot went bankrupt. Any opinions are appreciated!