Are you in the market for a new home but can’t decide if buying a corner house would be a wise investment decision or a poor one? Well, you’ve come to the right place as we’ll be discussing the pros and cons of living on a corner plot, which will hopefully give you some clarity on the matter.
As we all know, location is one of the most important factors when buying real estate. Whether you are planning on buying a house or building one, its location is what largely determines its actual value. Contrary to popular belief, choosing the location of your home includes more than just finding a well-developed area that’s preferably close to your workplace and your children’s school. Once you’ve decided on the area you want to purchase your property in, you also need to think about where you would like it to be situated within the neighbourhood.
Generally, park-facing and corner plot properties are slightly more expensive than the rest. While the reason behind the former being in high-demand is pretty self-explanatory, a lot of people fail to understand why corner plots are worth more money.
Therefore, to help you out, here are some of the most notable pros and cons of buying a corner house.
Pros of buying a corner house
Let’s start with the pros of corner plots. Here are some of the biggest advantages of investing in a property located at the intersection of two streets.
- More yard space
- Better light and ventilation
- More parking space
- Better design options
- Unobstructed street view
Here is a further explanation for each of these advantages.
More yard space
The cost of corner plot houses for sale is usually slightly higher than other properties in the area because of the extra yard space.
Generally, corner homes come with two lawns, which is a great thing because it gives you more space to start your own garden, create a small play area for kids or indulge in custom landscaping. Given the location of your house within the area and the visibility of your lawn, you can even place some outdoor patio furniture on the grass and make it your evening tea time spot.
Having two lawns also adds to the aesthetics of your home, which may result in higher resale value.
Better light and ventilation
Along with curb appeal, improved airflow and natural light are among the top reasons why buying a house on a corner plot is considered a great investment option. Since corner plot properties are not surrounded by houses on all sides, it allows for better ventilation and more sunlight into the home.
Good flow of air and natural light are imperative for a healthier lifestyle. Moreover, they have a positive effect on the overall environment of your house. While direct sunlight can make your room look brighter and less cramped, decent ventilation can help prevent moisture, bad odours and other indoor pollutants.
Furthermore, according to real estate experts, those interested in buying a corner house should consider investing in the north open or south open plots because of the direction of the sun.
More parking space
There are many reasons why corner plots appear to be popular among homebuyers, and this is perhaps one of the most important ones.
Since the lack of parking space has become a major issue in big cities and urban communities, it’s understandable that both real estate investors and regular buyers rush to buy corner plot properties, as they allow homeowners to park their vehicles on either side of the plot. Your guests and visitors won’t have much trouble finding a parking spot either.
Not to mention, even if a corner house doesn’t come with a big enough indoor parking space, you can always convert one of the two lawns into a garage. However, you might need to check with relevant authorities to make sure if you are allowed to do so.
Better design options
A corner plot allows you more freedom to design your home the way you like it.
Building a house on a corner plot allows you to get more creative. Since these homes are not obscured by other properties and are usually larger, homeowners can explore a lot of design options that may not be suitable for others living on the same street. For instance, designing a second-floor balcony overlooking the front of the house may not be practical or aesthetically pleasing for other houses, but it can work out perfectly well for corner plot homes. Similarly, corner houses can have widows and terrace overlooking either side of the plot, giving it a lavish look.
On a side note, it’s important to mention that if your property is located inside a gated community, you will be required to follow the respective housing society’s construction bylaws to ensure the exterior of your house doesn’t violate any of its rules.
Unobstructed view of the street
Last but not least, corner plot properties offer a great view.
While most homeowners have windows and balconies overlooking their own front yard or the neighbour’s lawn, those living in a corner house can enjoy an unobstructed view of the street. If there’s a park in the vicinity that’s visible from your corner plot home, it can have a positive impact on the overall value of your property.
Now that you know the biggest benefits of buying a corner house in Pakistan, let’s discuss the most prominent drawback of investing in such a property.
Cons of buying a corner house
These are the major disadvantages of a corner plot home.
- More maintenance required
- Noise pollution
- More susceptible to burglary
- Dealing with foot traffic
- Light pollution
Let’s take a further look at the cons of buying corner plot homes.
More maintenance required
As discussed above, corner plots come with an additional yard. While it is considered a huge advantage, its maintenance can be a huge drawback. Having an extra lawn means you will be required to spend almost twice as much on landscaping and upkeep than you would’ve otherwise.
Moreover, since corner houses have higher visibility as well as more exposure, you will have to take extra care of its façade. Painting the external walls is also going to be costly since you will have to cover almost double the surface as the neighbouring homes.
Things such as sidewalk maintenance and repairs can also be a bit of a nuisance to deal with.
Noise pollution
Compared to their neighbours, those living in corner homes are more exposed to blaring car horns and other forms of noise pollution – especially if you live near a busy intersection or close to the main road.
Unlike other residents in the neighbourhood, who only have to deal with traffic on one side of their home, you’ll be forced to listen to the noises of small and heavy vehicles on either side of your property. In case there is a bus stop located at a short distance, you can also expect a lot of foot traffic during the rush hours, which may lead to even more noise pollution.
However, it is important to mention that this may not be as big of a problem in quieter neighbourhoods that don’t see a lot of traffic.
More susceptible to burglary
Depending on the location and visibility, corner houses can be more susceptible to robberies.
Corner plots can reduce your privacy, especially if your house is visible from the adjacent street; or if it is built in a way that people out on the sidewalk can see or hear you talking or moving about in your home. Just like buying a corner plot allows you to keep an eye on two streets at once, it also allows others to see your home from two sides.
Nonetheless, according to industry experts, corner houses with high visibility are less likely to be burglarized.
Dealing with foot traffic
Those living in houses built on corner plots usually have to deal with a lot of foot traffic. For instance, if you live close to the main road, people may stand right outside your front yard to look for rickshaws, taxis and other forms of transportation. This can further reduce your privacy.
In case your house is located near a school, eatery, market area or a bus stop, this problem can get even worse.
Light pollution
Light pollution refers to the obtrusive use of artificial light in the night environment.
People living in corner houses are usually heavily exposed to headlights of passing vehicles. This can be rather uncomfortable, especially at night. Moreover, since streetlights are generally placed at the corner of the streets and intersections, there is a good chance that there will be one installed right outside your corner plot property. That means you’ll also be forced to spend extra money on heavy curtains to keep the fluorescent lights from invading your space.
In conclusion, just like every other property, buying a corner house comes with its own sets of pros and cons. However, all of these factors may vary with the location of your home.
Meanwhile, if you are new to the world of real estate, you might want to check out our comprehensive guide on buying a house for the first time. You can also read about the basics of real estate investment in Pakistan to learn how to utilize your capital for maximum returns.
Furthermore, those interested in building a house must take a look at our breakdown of the construction cost of 1 kanal house in 2019.
In case you have any questions regarding the topic or would like to share your own two cents with us, please feel free to email us on blog@zameen.com.
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