6 replies to this topic

[Folsom senior]

We have a nice home in Natoma Station (4 bedrooms) about 1700 sq. ft. built in 1997.  However we have a huge lot and lots of trees.  The lot is approximately 1/3  acre.  I  am curious to see what people, including you Steve, think.  Does a big lot help or hurt in resale value?

[aztransplant]

I think it is an individual/personal thing. For example, when we were house hunting we wanted a single-story home with a "large lot" (in particular a large, usable fenced-in back yard with NO pool). And, we wanted mature trees.

However, I have heard others who want the exact opposite. They do not want the upkeep of a "large lot" ( I think it's sad that 1/3 acre is considered large). The lower the maintenance the better. We did end up having to have one hazardous tree removed, and we've had the others professionally trimmed due to their height. These are not regular (i.e, monthly, or even annual) expenses, but they do add up over the long-term.

And with the drought, smaller yards may become preferred (our raised-bed area is going unused and our lawn is pretty crispy this summer in an effort to conserve water, although we continue to water our fruit trees on the drip system).

I suspect those with children and/or pets might prefer the bigger fenced-in yard and those without might not.

Just my two cents.

[4thgenFolsomite]

a larger lot will be more valuable.  to set an appraisal or asking price, real estate agents use a square foot calculation for interior space and another lower one for lot size.  people are attracted to particular neighborhoods based on location, amenities, age of house, etc..  if your lot is larger than your neighbors', then your lot will be more valuable compared to your neighbors'.  However, it may not be more valuable than a smaller lot in a neighborhood that has higher square foot valuations. 

[EDF]

We have a nice home in Natoma Station (4 bedrooms) about 1700 sq. ft. built in 1997.  However we have a huge lot and lots of trees.  The lot is approximately 1/3  acre.  I  am curious to see what people, including you Steve, think.  Does a big lot help or hurt in resale value?

 

I sell real estate in town and have for about 25 years now... and you bet a larger lot helps especially if it's landscaped well... is there an RV access...?

 

PM the address and I'll swing by and eye ball it from the street...

 

if you want to find out quick what your house is worth... you can go to:  

 

http://myfolsom.smarthomeprice.com/   and just enter your address... you'll get an instant idea of value...

 

I hope this helps...

[Steve Heard]

We have a nice home in Natoma Station (4 bedrooms) about 1700 sq. ft. built in 1997.  However we have a huge lot and lots of trees.  The lot is approximately 1/3  acre.  I  am curious to see what people, including you Steve, think.  Does a big lot help or hurt in resale value?

 

In general, bigger lots are more valuable than smaller ones, but it always depends on other factors.

 

1/3 acre lot in Folsom should be more valuable than one in Pollock Pines or Citrus Heights, but probably worth less than one in San Francisco or Los Gatos.

 

It will also depend on the usability of the land. There are several homes on larger lots on the market in Folsom and El Dorado Hills right now that are almost impossible to make good use of, so the extra space has little value.

 

There are some homes with large lots on Hopfield, and some have been turned into nice gardens, some terraced with pools, and some left to nature. Each could be valued differently by buyers.

 

I hope that answers your question, but like EDF, I'd be glad to pop in and take a look, then run some numbers for you.

[chris v]

When we bought last year one of our requirements was a large lot as well as other things. Our previous house was in Natoma Station on a very small .1 acre lot. There is a lot more work with the larger lot but I think it is well worth it to have the usable space.

[ducky]

I love our large lot.  It was what sold us on the house.  One of the first things I do in the morning is head out to the yard with my coffee, and when I get home from work I go out in the yard to decompress as soon as possible.