There’s a lot that goes into a lot (sorry!), especially in the dense Los Angeles real estate market. Puns aside, people often overlook just how much the size of a property’s lot influences the value of single-family homes. Square footage tends to steal the spotlight, followed closely by neighborhood, custom finishes, and so on. Perhaps it’s that lot size lacks glamor, but savvy buyers will recognize how it factors into long-term value, pricing, and, yes, buyer demand. Or at least their agent will point it out!
Single-Family Homes with Large Lots Are an LA Rarity
LA’s lower skylines and urban sprawl can be deceiving, but make no mistake: we are the big city. And after decades of property development, complex zoning restrictions, and population booms, it can be a challenge to find single-family homes with sizable lots. That challenge only steepens the closer you get to the city center or the coastline. Therefore, buyers will find a strong degree of scarcity tied to lot sizes that exceed the bare minimum. Of course, this means that single-family homes on generously-sized lots will command higher listing prices and property values.
Your best bet if you want a sizable lot? Start searching the city’s older neighborhoods. You’ll find that in areas like West Adams, Northeast LA, and the first neighborhoods in the San Fernando Valley, homes were built on larger lots compared to new developments that must grapple with modern constraints. Obviously, no one can just build more usable land. It’s finite. So, again, expect premiums on single-family homes with large lot sizes.
Size Matters. But It Isn’t Everything.
While you can expect lot size to increase value, it’s not an exact science committed to a ratio. The Los Angeles market specifically values “usable” lot size, earning it priority over total square footage in most circumstances. Because of this, a flat, rectangular lot will often carry more value than one on an incline or one with irregular borders, even if the compared lots are the same size.
Flexibility remains an implied benefit of lots, so single-family homes that allow for a buyer’s tailored vision can also pull in higher offers. This typically translates into space to add ADUs, lavish gardens, soothing swimming pools, and other improvements down the road. But lots that suffer from steep slopes, access issues, and environmental constraints can’t command the same interest in most cases, regardless of size.
Looking at Lot Size from an Investor’s Perspective
Speaking of ADUs, California’s softening stance on ADU construction has further emphasized the value of lot size in the Los Angeles market. For those unfamiliar, ADU stands for “accessory dwelling unit” and basically allows permitted properties to construct additional, rentable living space on the premises. And you can bet invest-minded buyers have that in mind when assessing the lot size of a prospective purchase.
Residential zoning is a hot topic currently, not just in LA but throughout the state. It’s another way that larger lots can translate to robust investment opportunities, especially for those considering multi-generational living, rental income, and a more flexible future. However, due diligence is paramount to success in LA’s market. If a buyer isn’t paying attention, zoning restrictions, access to utilities, and other setbacks can quickly throw a wrench into the gears of a buyer’s plans.
The Locations of Single-Family Homes Still Matter More
We mentioned that lot size is often overshadowed by location, and there’s a very good reason for that. Location is still the more important consideration. A coveted location can dramatically amplify the value of any property situated on a notably-sized lot. Single-family homes with decent lot sizes in neighborhoods like Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Silver Lake frequently generate intense bidding wars when award-winning school districts and walkability are thrown into the mix.
Neighborhoods further outside of the city center tend to offer more single-family homes on bountifully-sized lots, and thus command less of a premium unless augmented with additional price drivers. Therefore, it’s important to consider how local zoning and location help or hinder a home’s potential value.
The Emotional Resonance of a Premium Lot
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the emotional value tied to larger lot sizes, especially when considering single-family homes. Some offer a secluded sense of privacy. Others allow some much-appreciated distance from the nearest neighbor, contributing to a feeling of personal freedom. And, of course, there’s always the timeless attraction of more outdoor space, supported by LA’s enviable weather. All of these reasons lead back to why JohnHart’s buyers overwhelmingly prefer single-family homes to attached housing units.
Search for True Value in the Lots of Single-Family Homes
Inevitably, lot size continues to influence LA’s single-family home values with the tangible realities of today and the promises of future projects. Whether you’re a new agent or a buyer yourself, understanding how lot size engages with local zoning, usability, and location is integral to knowing the true market value of a property.
With a brand that says as much as JohnHart’s, Senior Copywriter Seth Styles never finds himself at a loss for words. Responsible for maintaining the voice of the company, he spends each day drafting marketing materials, blogs, bios, and agent resources that speak from the company’s collective mind and Hart… errr, heart.
Having spent over a decade in creative roles across a variety of industries, Seth brings with him vast experience in SEO practices, digital marketing, and all manner of professional writing with particular strength in blogging, content creation, and brand building. Gratitude, passion, and sincerity remain core tenets of his unwavering work ethic. The landscape of the industry changes daily, paralleling JohnHart’s efforts to {re}define real estate, but Seth works to maintain the company’s consistent message while offering both agents and clients a new echelon of service.
When not preserving the JohnHart essence in stirring copy, Seth puts his efforts into writing and illustrating an ongoing series entitled The Death of Romance. In addition, he adores spending quality time with his girlfriend and Romeo (his long-haired chihuahua mix), watching ‘70s and ‘80s horror movies, and reading (with a particular penchant for Victorian horror novels and authors Yukio Mishima and Bret Easton Ellis). He also occasionally records music as the vocalist and songwriter for his glam rock band, Peppermint Pumpkin.
