The ultimate appeal of real estate is that it is unique. And while in theory it is true, in reality, many lots differ little from one another.
That said, spend some time not only in lot selection, but in understanding what the lot offers. Invest some time looking at the lot that you considering and try to find the characteristics that help make it unique. Sometimes a unique feature can be either highlighted (if good) or minimized (if bad.) And having been in this business for a long time, the number of times a lot and house are not in sync with one another is pretty stunning.
Some things to consider:
- If it is oddly shaped and you are forced to move to one side, then you may want to use fewer windows on that rear corner.
- If the home backs to something with a view, then find a plan that incorporates the view into the daily living experience.
- If the home backs to a tract of land likely to be developed, don’t place the without considering what the future is likely to look like.
- If a neighbor is closer to their side of the lot, you may want to move away to maintain separation.
Recognizing how a lot will relate to a home can really create value … and it is not always in a subdivision setting. As an example, we once represented a loft condo in a warehouse in Manchester that inverted public and private spaces so that the kitchen and great room were on the top floor and the bedrooms were all on the level below. This was done to allow the view of the city skyline from almost all of the rooms used during the day.
The impact was dramatic.
Each home can only be built once so invest some time in really thinking through how the home, lot and other elements all relate.
