House Location...Drainage Issues???

Living at the beach where our land is flat in most areas, I have little understanding of house placement at the top of a hill or the bottom of a hill.  I have owned properties with a sloping lot where I had to put a French drain in the front of the house but what do you do when you own a home at the bottom of a hill. A friend is looking at such a property and I suggested that she consider putting a French drain surrounding the house.  There is no sign of water issues and there is no disclosure because it is a foreclosure.  We have already discussed the importance of a good home inspector and possibly getting an engineer to inspect it.  I am curious if any activerain members have experienced this issue.