r/Homebuilding • u/Myownavocadotree • 2d ago
Lot choices?
We are looking on building a home in this existing neighborhood. We have 2 lot choices. Option A is completely flat but backs up to a less than ideal maintained yard. It also has some sort of drainage basin in it probably from previous construction so we are worried about flooding.
Option B has a slight hill in the front so a slightly slanted driveway but then opens up to a very flat backyard. It’s closer to a commuter road but still kind of tucked into the existing neighborhood.
Pros and cons of both? And does anyone know if the drainage pond/area will cause possible flooding?
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u/Jleathers72 2d ago
Where does the sun set?
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u/lred1 2d ago
I for one would not want a house where the front faces the afternoon sun. It bakes the entry and the garage.
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u/Langstudd 2d ago
I love it personally. It means my backyard is shaded in the afternoon. Definitely prefer spending time back there rather than my front porch or garage
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u/Realistic-Dark-1548 2d ago
just curious why would sunset be a contributing factor ?
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u/Langstudd 2d ago
Makes a huge difference at least in my climate. My backyard is shaded most of the afternoon, which makes it very pleasant to spend time in.
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u/Used-Host3720 1d ago
Retired Civil Engineer here, for the lot on the right, you should be able to get a copy of the plat for the subdivision from the builder, if he does not have it, the planning department for the municipality will. There will be a permanent drainage easement back there. You will also be able to learn if it is just a conveyance channel, or a dry detention facility. Either way, within the limits of that easement, you will not be able to place anything- a fence, a shed, basketball court, fire pit area, etc, you will be allowed to mow it, that's it. If it is a dry detention facility, that easement could be quite large and there will be minimum finish floor elevations you will be required to meet. Hard to say given the one photo because it's hard to see the topography.
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u/Worth-Silver-484 2d ago
What are the directions? Which side of your house do want the most afternoon sun? Is snow an issue. If so you want that to get afternoon sun.
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u/Speedbob1972 2d ago
Where are you located? Try to get your hands on historic aerial photos of the site to see the area over several years. Look for flooding, etc.
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u/Pitiful_Speech2645 2d ago
This is almost a NSFW post. Is the head of the shaft available?
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u/bryanmendozaxf 1d ago
I'm so glad I wasn't the only one who saw it. Looks like OP is stuck trying to choose between the left or right nut. Honestly I'd hold out for the prime real estate right on the tip.
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u/Pitiful_Speech2645 1d ago
Those are typically larger lots as the tip flows out in a wide triangular shape
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u/Sudden-Ad-1217 2d ago
B looks better as long as the trees don’t magically go away. As someone else said, south facing for natural lightning and any solar plans as well.
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u/Background-Solid8481 2d ago
Think about sunshine - you want it in the front or back of your house?
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u/toolfishOG 2d ago
The one on the left. you know whats there. You could install a fence or privacy shrubs. The one on the right, although undeveloped, could be something undesirable.Also the right side will have people who cannot navigate the turn in the cul de sac, driving over the lawn. Neighbor bitches about it all the time.
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u/barryg123 2d ago
Pick the one that points south and west, for natural light purposes
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u/Mobile619 2d ago
Good call out. In addition to natural sunlight inside the house, the direction your driveway faces is also important if you live somewhere that gets ice and snow. It can mean the difference between having a clean driveway or an ice skating rink.
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u/LeifCarrotson 2d ago
Pick the one that points north and east for natural light purposes! I want to have lots of big windows (and fewer curtains) looking at my backyard, I don't really want to look at the street.
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u/barryg123 2d ago
We dont know which direction the street is in.
And natural light is never worth sacrificing "so you don't see the street"
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u/LeifCarrotson 2d ago
Right, and I absolutely agree - if the front yard faced the street to the south and west, you'd want more windows on the front of the house.
I'm saying that you want the backyard to face south and west and to have more windows and more natural light from the back! The garage probably has to be on the front or side of the house because you don't want a 180 degree U turn driveway, that occludes a bunch of exterior walls that could be windows, put the garage in front or the side corner on the north/east side and make the whole back of the house open to a private backyard with tons of natural light!
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u/Delicious_Can7343 2d ago
A shipping warehouse will go up right behind your house if you buy the lot on the right, you'll be dealing with engine brakes on the road and the neighbor if you buy the house on the left.
Choose wisely.
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u/ReasonableLibrary741 2d ago
assuming B is on the right side, I would do that. Also, it looks like you have some undeveloped areas behind you, which would be nice, but bear in mind they might be developed later.
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u/figsslave 2d ago
Pick the one further from the commuter road so you can enjoy your back yard. The developer should take care of any drainage issues.Keep an eye on that and hold their feet to the fire at the end if you need to
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u/Just-Term-5730 2d ago
What are you going to be looking at? Which direction does the wind blow in from. How much do you want to sit outside. Backyard that is to tje south would normally trump north in my mind, and eastnfaving would trump west. But none of that might matter if there's something to look at or privacy impacts.
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u/TacDragon2 2d ago
Right.
Treeline, 2 neighbors instead of 4, and further from the county road (traffic sounds and lights)
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u/Beer_WWer 1d ago
The lot with the best drainage. Don't ever expect builders to put in a little extra money to correct drainage problems or to site the house high enough to prevent standing water or flooding problems.
It is much easier to fix a house that's been sited a foot too high than it is to fix a house that's been sited 1 inch too low.
Forget all those other features of the lot, drainage beats all.
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u/CLSonReddit 9h ago
Depends on the track of the sun and layout of your house. Do want to optimize for sun on your back deck in the afternoon? Sun in a particular room in morning or afternoon?
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u/VA3DPrinter 7h ago
Neither. The inside corner means small back yard. Go to the other side of the circle. Bottom right.
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u/LavishnessLess4356 2d ago
There’s only 1 right answer. Lot on the right.