Buying Home on Acreage Versus Home on Lot

Buying Home on Acreage Versus Home on Lot

Gustan Cho Associates are mortgage brokers licensed in 48 states

In this blog, we will discuss and cover the benefits of buying home on acreage versus home on lot for homebuyers. There are many benefits of buying home on acreage versus home on lot. There are many things for a home buyer to consider when buying a home. Buying a home is not like buying a car or motor home or other high-ticket items. The acquisition cost of buying a home is much greater than buying anything else. Even though a home buyer is not responsible for paying the real estate commission of 6%, that cost is already figured into the cost of the home purchase. Plus there are closing costs on a home purchase. Closing costs can be anywhere between 2% to 6% of the home purchase. Bottom line is that right off the bat, a home purchase will have more than 10% of the costs, whether those who are buying or sellers. In this article, we will discuss and cover the benefits of buying home on acreage versus home on lot.

Is Buying A Home on Acreage Versus Lot a Good Investment?

The hidden costs of commissions and other fees are already figured in the price of a home purchase. So if home buyers buy a home and decide they do not like the home they purchased or do not like the neighborhood, they cannot just list it back in the market and come out breaking even. Plus, cannot sell a home in a matter of days. It takes time to list a home, gets a home buyer to purchase it, and once the real estate contract is signed, it may take anywhere between 45 days to 60 days to close on a home. One of the most important things to consider as a home buyer is whether buying home on acreage versus home on lot. There are pros and cons to buying home on acreage versus home on lot. In this article, we will go over the pros and cons of buying a home on acreage versus buying a home on a regular lot.

Is It Better To Buy a House in a Big Lot?

Buying home on acreage versus home on lot has many benefits. Many homeowners like privacy. Buying home on acreage versus home on lot offers privacy. Neighbors do not know whether they are leaving home or whether they have guests or not. Depending on how many acres the home sits on, privacy can be an important factor to many people. There are communities that have one-acre zoning. Other communities have five-acre zoning. Homes that are on five-acre zoning allow horses. Horse lovers can enjoy having and raising horses if they purchase a home on five acres.

Adding On To Existing Home For Space

Another advantage of buying homes on acreage is homeowners have the luxury to add on to existing homes if they need more space as well as add outbuildings. Homeowners can also plant a large garden, build a pond, install an in-ground pool, build a tennis court, or just enjoy the land home is on. There are so many possibilities with homes that are on acreage than there are on homes that are on lots. Privacy is one of the greatest benefits of owning a property on acreage. You can have dogs barking and/or multiple children playing without getting neighbors complaining. Homeowners can add multiple sheds and/or a pole building for added storage. Most homes on acreage are zoned for horses. Animal lovers can have horses as well as other animals.

Maintenance Issues With Buying Home on Acreage Versus Home on Lot

Maintenance On Larger Property Versus Smaller Lots

Disadvantages include maintenance with buying home on acreage versus home on lot. Buying home on acreage versus home on lot require maintenance. Times when there are rains for days, grass will grow like weeds. Needs to be mowed more than once per week. The cost of lawn equipment and fuel is not cheap. It may take someone more than 5 hours to mow a five-acre property. Besides mowing, homeowners need to maintain the landscape of the property as well such as trimming around the shrubs, fences, home, and driveway. That takes a lot of time. Need special landscaping equipment to do those tasks.

Costs of Landscape Equipment Can Be Costly

Maintaining a lawn tractor, a lawnmower, and other landscape equipment and tools can be costly as well. Those who do not have time to do the work themselves can hire a professional landscape company. That can cost several thousand per year. For homeowners who have a pond, the cost of maintaining a pond can cost upwards of more than $2,000 per year. Homes on acreage offer great benefits. However, with those benefits comes the price.

Benefits of Buying Homes on Lot

Homes on lots have their benefits and disadvantages. The benefits of homes on smaller lots are having neighbors close by for those homeowners who like to be around people. Maintaining a home that sits on a small lot is easy. Do not have the time to maintain a home, landscape services on homes that are on small lots are inexpensive. The disadvantages with homes that sit on small lots are they are limited on what can be built. Maybe homeowners may want an inground pool. But due to the landscape and size of the lot, they may not be able to install one. Maybe they may want a garden but due to the lot may not be able to have a vegetable garden. Maybe may need more space but due to the lot size may not be able to add on to the existing home.

Lack of Privacy For Homeowners of Homes on Small Lots

Other disadvantages include neighbors. If you do not get along with the neighbor next door, you are stuck with them until they move. Privacy is another issue with homes on lots versus homes on acreage. Cannot blast the stereo because it will disturb neighbors. Neighbors will know when you are leaving home and when you are home. Neighbors may have multiple dogs that may bark at all times of the day and night. Homebuyers, especially first-time home buyers, should seriously think about buying a home on acreage versus a home on a lot.  Serious consideration should go into the home buying process.

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5 Comments

  1. I like how you said that buying a home on acreage offers privacy where neighbors do not know whether they are leaving home or whether they have guests or not. My brother wants to buy a house since he just got married. I will share this article so he can have a better idea of how to choose the right property. Alex Carlucci, Dale Elenteny, Massimo Ressa, Martyna Szettel, Piotr Bieda, and Mike Gracz of Gustan Cho Associates have been very helpful in helping me answer all of my questions.

  2. Wow, I’m so glad I came across your article, Gustan! I am looking to buy a home and like I love my privacy. I’m also thrilled to know that I will have the luxury to plant a large garden, build a pond, or even install an in-ground pool when buying a home on acreage. My daughter loves swimming and this will make her very happy. I will definitely consider buying a home on acreage and look for an acreage builder to make my dream home come true.I appreciate Alex Carlucci and Massimo Ressa helping me with getting me the best mortgage rates.

  3. I like that you mentioned that buying homes with acreage are ideal for people who value their privacy. One of the things I’d like to have someday is a home somewhere secluded that I can use when want a bit of an escape from the city. I think it will also serve as a good venue for a house party with my friends.

  4. It’s great that this article mentioned that one of the benefits of owning a home that has a lot of acreages is that you can construct things like tennis courts or swimming pools. If you are going to be making a lot of changes to your land, you are probably going to need to purchase some kind of mini excavator that you can use to do earthmoving with. As far as I know, most mini excavators have different attachments you can use to complete different jobs.

  5. My uncle really wants to buy some more acreage when he moves because he wants to have more space for his horses. Making sure that he could buy the right land from a professional in order to be more effective. Thanks for explaining how he will be able to have more privacy from neighbors, and he can add a shed or barn to the back

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