Lot Shapes: Pros & Cons

Lot shape is an important consideration when you're buying a home. It can affect everything from the amount of sunlight that your home gets, to your lifestyle to how easy it will be to sell in the future. Let's look at the Pros and Cons of some common Lot Shapes.

Corner Lots

Corner lots tend to be larger than other lots, giving you more space for your home and yard. They are visible from two sides, which can be either a pro or a con. If you're someone who loves to maximize curb appeal then you'll have all the more space for landscaping, gardens, trees and flowers. On the other hand the reduced privacy and noise could be an issue for some.

Rectangular Lots

Rectangular lots are the most common types of lots in subdivisions. Building fences is less expensive and keeping track of lot lines is easy with both rectangular and square lots. This shape is preferred by most because you'll get a decent amount of front yard and backyard, with the fairly centered. Longer backyards also tend to be easier to build additions on.

Square Lots

Square lots are less common than rectangular or corner lots, and are easier to measure with their well-defined property boundaries. They require a bit less maintenance outdoors since the home on the lot take up more space. Square lots tend to be smaller land areas compared to other types of plots too.

Pie-Shaped Lots

You'll find these typically at the end of cul-de-sacs or a sharp bend in a road. Pie shaped lots are similar to corner lots in that they're often larger than average. They have a distinct shape that can offer some unique benefits.

If you think about the shape of a pie, the tip would represent front side from the road, while the back crust would be the backyard. So, from the road, they have more privacy than most other lots. But as a result they might have less parking available.

Pie-shaped lots are great if you like minimal maintenance at the front of the home. And they're perfect if you love spending time in the backyard, as they have big backyards, and can often fit a deck, pool, shed with ample extra space to spare. If you love hosting, look out for pie-shaped lots!

Reverse Pie Shaped

Reverse pie shaped lots have the same general concept as pie shaped lots, but with the shapes reversed. The tip of the pie is in the back, while the larger, more expansive side is in the front.

If you want an epic front yard to show off your landscaping skills, then this type would be great for you. Many people with this lot type will plant lots of trees, shrubs, flower bed, and will might build a big deck out front. Take note that the backyard is going to be comparatively small.

Wide-Shallow Lots

Wide-shallow lots are typically rectangular but, like the name suggests, they are far wider than they are deep. You'll see these often with longer ranch-style homes. This can be great for people that don’t necessarily want a huge front or backyard.  This lets them enjoy seeing ornamental trees, flower beds, and beautiful landscaping through typically bigger windows in a ranch style home.

Irregular Lots

Irregular lots are those that don’t fit any of the previous shapes. They could be a mix of squares, rectangle, and non-right angles. These are usually the hardest type of lot to build on but can offer some great opportunities for creative landscaping. People with vision and imagination love irregular lots because of their uniqueness, and opportunity for creativity.