Friday 25 February 2011

What's Up with These Crazy Lot Sizes - Come on Builders, Everything is Bigger in Texas!

A reader recently commented on the lot size of one of the Rate or Hate homes, Plano's 2504 Beacon Crest.  As I have said time after time and as this reader reinstates in his comment, the small to extremely small lot sizes seen throughout north Texas is draw-dropping.  Here are a few examples:


1680 Prince William Lane in Frisco, Texas - Here's The Listing

This is a nice French inspired home, am I wrong?  I was attracted to this home until I saw, yes, the lot size - 0.29 of an acre.  How in the world can a 7,857 sq. foot home (classified as a mansion) be built on such a small lot size?!  Throw this home onto a 3-5 acre property and it's got my vote.


2 Park Row Court in Pantego, Texas - Here's The Listing

Here is another in Pantego, Texas (Arlington).  This Mediterranean villa is literally crammed and smooshed into a 0.20 lot size!  I mean look at that, no front yard and no backyard.  


4041 Grassmere Road in Highland Park, Texas - Here's The Listing

And oh yes, aren't we all so familiar with the less than perfect lot sizes of Highland Park.  With 4041 Grassmere, the builder managed to tightly fit a 12,500 sq. foot French home onto this 0.50 of an acre lot size.  Would this home not be perfect with more lavishly landscaped land, an actual front yard and a circle driveway?  Expand this home to a 4 acre lot and boom, perfect.

The only possible explanation I found to this real estate phenomena is the maximization of profits.  Think of it - these builders could take a 10 acre plot of land and turn it into 10 nice homes on an acre each; however, to maximize profits, they take a 10 acre plot of land and build 20-30 nice homes each on a very small lot size.  Ever see these homes built really close together?  That's exactly what they are doing.  Build more homes, make more money.  Builders, everything is bigger in Texas!  Expand those lot sizes!

What's your opinion?

Thanks for reading,