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November 7, 2017 | by admin
When you decide to build a new home there are decisions that need to be made along the way. One of those decisions is the way in which you want your home plotted on your property. The two types of home plots are Traditional Lot homes and Zero Lot-Line homes. There are similarities and differences between the two types, and the decision you make for your new home can make a large difference in value, layout, and space. We asked some industry professionals for their take on the two different lot types. Here, they provide you with the important information you need to know about the two different lot types to help you make an informed decision for your new home.
Traditional Lot Homes
Traditional lots have typically been the most common type in communities based on their flexibility and the way homes can be customized to suit the buyer’s desires due to extra lot space.
“Traditional lot homes provide a number of advantages for home buyers. With a traditional lot, the home is plotted on the centre of the lot. This allows for additional space on the lot on either side of the home” explains Clark Piechotta, Associate Director of Development at Qualico Communities Calgary. “Traditional lots are great for home buyers who enjoy activities in their yard such as gardening, or playing outside with young children” he added. Having extra space on the lot also gives buyers more customization opportunities for their home. “Buyers have the ability to extend their home and garage, and even add extra windows on both sides of the home to allow for more natural light to enter their home during the day” Sarah Evashkevich of Pacesetter Homes explained when asked about options. “Most builders will allow for a great deal of customization with traditional lots; allowing for a minimum of 4 feet on each side of the home.”
Though traditional lot homes provide more flexibility, this added customizability comes at an added cost. If a homebuyer wants to bump out the garage or extend the home slightly, they will have to pay more for their home.
Zero Lot-Line Homes
A home build that is quickly gaining in popularity, zero lot-line homes differ significantly from traditional lot homes. Sarah Evashkevich of Pacesetter explains “A home is considered to be zero lot-line when one side of the home is built on the edge of the neighbouring property line.” As the home is being built on the edge of the property, a narrower lot is required for the home. This immediately gives the homeowner savings on their new home as a smaller lot costs less money. Zero lot line homes benefit the buyer as they are able to build a larger, less expensive home on the lot than if they chose to build a traditional home.
For the majority of homebuyers, the ability to build a larger home is the biggest selling point for zero-lot lines. “Homebuyers are able to build a larger home at a much better value through maximizing the home’s lot coverage with minimal space between homes,” Piechotta added. With zero lot-line homes, the home buyer is paying for the home and the land that it is plotted over. As there is a limited amount of additional land and yard space, they minimize the associated costs.
If you decide that a zero lot-line home is the right fit for your family, there are some important rules and regulations that control what you can and cannot do with the exterior of your home. If you choose to build this type of home, the side of your home that is on the property line cannot have any windows, taps, plugs or vents. Though some homebuyers may not like these rules, the value that is presented by a zero lot-line home cannot be denied; you can get a much larger house for a much more affordable price.
Traditional lot and zero lot-line homes both offer their own different advantages to the homebuyer; it all just depends on what you are looking for and what suits your lifestyle. If you desire flexibility in the design of your home, a traditional lot home is likely your best option. On the other hand, if you are looking to get a larger home for a lower price, a zero lot-line home may be the solution for your family. It is recommended that buyers consult a sales representative in the community in which they are looking to build for assistance in determining the best option for them.
StreetSide Developments has been building homes for over 28 years. We have the honour of constructing the place in the world where our owners feel most like themselves. It’s why we build one way, and one way only — to the highest level of quality, because we aren’t just building homes, we’re building your home.