Narrow lots

   Narrow lots are often seen in a negative light for obvious reasons. They are, after all, skinny. Due to this situation often, but not always, the narrow lot is going to be less expensive comparatively to others it the immediate area.   A lot like this will have an effect on the type of floor plan that you’ll be able to use, and the amount of privacy you can expect. The difference between what is called a narrow lot and a wide lot can be related to the amount of road frontage it has. Narrow lots have little frontage but are very deep. Wide lots typically will have a great deal of frontage but are very shallow (don’t extend back from the road) in comparison. 

Typically, a longer and narrower home will be dictated, and a two-story home may make more sense. There are several books and arcitects that offer and even specialize in narrow lot plans. A common “fix” is to have the large family room or great room on the second floor of the home. Often a “U” shaped floor plan with the garage and master bedrooms pushed to the front, and living and eating areas pushed to the back of the home fits well on a skinny lot. You may consider buying a narrow lot due to it’s location, price point or other factors. There are a few ways to get a bit more when you buy land like this.

   A couple of possible fixes are as follows: Assuming there are a few narrow lots available next to each other, look into the possibility of purchasing two lots and combining them into a larger one. The feasibility of this will obviously depend on the situation and price points. If a developer is having trouble moving a few lots, you may be able to get a good deal on something like this.

   Another option is to “split” a narrow lot with a neighbor so you can both gain some extra space. Image for a moment three lots in a row like our colorful example here to the right. There’s a home on one lot, owned by Mr. Green, and the blue and orange lots are vacant and for sale. Look into the possibility of purchasing the orange lot and talking with Mr. Green to see if you two could buy the blue lot together and split it in half. Mr. Green is happy because he’s got more land, you’re happy because you found a good lot and the developer is happy because he sold off two problem lots.

   This little scenario happens more often than you may think so keep an eye out for it. Before embarking on anything along these lines, check with your attorney and local government to see if it will allow you to combine and split lots in that area. Beyond the added cost the the additional land you may have additional fees related to moving lots lines, combining lots, having documents with the new information recoreded at a local government office and the like.

   The final common fix is to simply take advantage of the benefits the lot does has to offer, such as a view, in your floor plan. When buying a narrow lot because of a good price or a good location work with your architect to get the most out of it.