Today’s smaller lots mean there are bigger consequences to lot choice.
Of course, you should consider what will eventually be on each side of your home. If you can find a lot that is surrounded by other building lots on one or two sides instead of three, that’s an obvious advantage. Being next to an undeveloped green area is another good idea. Also, be mindful that a lot near the entrance to a neighborhood will have more traffic than one on a cul-de-sac. There are several less obvious factors too.
One of those is the slope of the lot and how it relates to the privacy of your yard. If you’re planning to have your main outdoor living area in the backyard, then a lot that slopes down from the back of the house will make privacy more difficult. A lot with a small slope toward the house helps a privacy fence do its job (of course, make sure water drainage isn’t an issue).
This or a flat lot can provide a nice, level transition from your backyard to a patio or back porch (see our blog on outdoor living areas). A high foundation and/or a slope away from your outdoor living area can cause the outside living space to be elevated from the yard. This makes privacy more difficult and causes a break in your outdoor space, which you may or may not prefer.
An elevated back or side yard can be very private, if it’s elevated all the way to the privacy fence. In fact, this is the best scenario for isolation because the yard and the fence will be taller in relation to the areas around them. Conversely, nearby lots on a higher plane will likely give your neighbors a view into your backyard, possibly over your fence.
Orientation to the sun shouldn’t be overlooked. Which rooms would you prefer to receive direct sunlight in the morning? The afternoon? Windows facing South get some direct sunlight all day except in the middle of summer, while reaching max sunlight in the middle of winter. If you want your back patio shaded by the house in the afternoons, then a lot with the front facing west will accomplish that.
A corner lot can be handy for direct access to a side-entry garage. It also exposes your home on two sides. An L-shaped house can help shield the back side better than placing the house at a 45 degree angle to both connecting streets.
For more information check out our Outdoor Living Spaces blog.
Better Homes and Gardens has a great article on this subject.
At Habitation Home Design we know how to optimize your home design for its lot.