Choosing which home model to build, and the community to build it in are important aspects of the journey to new home ownership. But finding the perfect lot within that community is just as vital and may be more impactful than you might think.

Many of Calgary’s new communities offer a varied choice of lots that can satisfy any lifestyle. These are some of the questions you might want to ask yourself before settling on one: Did you want a big lot that can fit triple front attach garages, a big backyard where kids can play? Or a narrower one that is not only more affordable but easier to maintain with less mowing or snow shovelling? Did you want a corner lot that will have a home with more windows, or an interior lot where your chosen home design can be a better fit?

The question most asked these days when lots are concerned is whether to go with a traditional lot or a zero-lot line home. A traditional lot has the home on the centre of the plot of land with four feet of separation on each side, while a zero lot has the home right up against the property line of its neighbour on one side and four feet from the other. While the former offers comfort and style, the latter offers more affordability as buyers pay less in terms of land cost, as well as in property taxes.

Finding your fit

Emily Smith, Director, Marketing & Customer Care at Qualico Communities, says there are so many factors that go into picking the right lot. One is orientation. “Typically, lots that have west or south backing backyards are a bit more expensive and desirable due to a sunny space to hang out!” Two is home type. “Some home types are more likely to be on a narrower lot to keep them more affordable. For example, duplex starter homes will be on a smaller, less expensive lot than a move-up front garage home.” Then there’s location. “Where a lot is located within the community itself matters. Whether it is on a busy road, backing onto a park, or on a corner can all impact whether the lot is right for the homebuyer.”

Smith states that most of these lot types are available in Qualico’s 12 current developments, including Ambleridge in the northwest, Dawson’s Landing and Bridgeport in Chestermere, and Vantage Rise in Airdrie.

While according to Daisy Lieu, Division Marketing Manager at Rohit Communities, the three key features that matter most in choosing your lot are: width, slope and position.

“A wider lot typically allows for a larger home, though some buyers opt for a wider but shallower lot to get an open, welcoming entry at a more affordable price,” she tells NextHome. “Sloped lots can offer exciting possibilities like walk-out basements and extra natural light. The lot’s position also plays a big role – it can determine whether your backyard catches those warm summer evening rays or provides the perfect spot for a sun-filled garden.”

The direction of the lot can also impact natural light for homes as well energy efficiency measures, like getting the best sun exposure for solar panels, she adds. Rohit is excited to offer all these lots in their communities of Heartland in Cochrane and the new Heartwood in southeast Calgary that’s coming this year.

When you are the land developer and exclusive homebuilder in a community, there are even more options in the types of lots offered. Mattamy Homes does exactly this in their communities of Cityscape and Yorkville in Calgary and Southwinds in Airdrie.

“At Mattamy Homes, we offer a wide range of lot sizes and orientations, giving clients the flexibility to select a lot that best suits their personal preferences,” says Mattamy Homes Director, Marketing, Careen Chrusch.

“Along with various sizes, our lots come with different grading conditions – for instance a walk-out lot offers a larger above-grade windows and direct access to the yard from the lower level,” she says. “While a ‘low lookout ’lot provides larger windows and 5-foot-by-10-foot deck. These features can significantly enhance he appeal and resale value of your home.”

Lots to choose from

Typically, in the city’s newer communities, lots can vary from 36- to over 40-feet wide and plenty more in between. Qualico’s Smith gave NextHome a rundown of the typical lots that can be found in Calgary today.

a. Pie lots – These lots are typically narrower at the front near the street and widen as they extend back, similar to the shape of a pie slice. These lots are often found on curved streets and can offer a larger backyard space compared to traditional rectangular lots. These lots are popular for those who want more privacy or extra outdoor space but tend to be a bit more expensive for that reason.

b. Ridge lots – A ridge lot is situated on an elevated area or ridge, often providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. These lots can offer homeowners unobstructed views of natural features such as mountains, bodies of water, or a city skyline. Ridge lots are seen as desirable and can be more expensive due to their location and the increased privacy.

c. Walkout lots - A walkout is typically found on slopes, where one side of the home’s basement level is ground level, allowing for a door leading directly outside, typically to a backyard or patio area. This gives homeowners direct access to the outdoors from the basement. It also allows for natural light to enter the lower level. These lots and the home can be more expensive as they have more amenities, and require more concrete, windows, and finishing work.

d. Interior lots – a lot positioned between two neighboring properties. This is in contrast with corner lots, which are adjacent to two intersecting streets and usually have more exposure.

e. Corner lots – corner lots and other amenity lots (backing on to a major road, pack space, pond, etc.) sometimes provide more yard space and fewer direct neighbours. They also tend to have higher architectural control costs due to their visibility. Not a bad thing, by any means, but something that buyers should be aware of.

Lots of control

As the developer and excusive builder in their communities, Mattamy exercises tremendous control not only in the look of the homes but on the shape of their lots.

“Our lot are wider than those offered by most builders, providing more opportunities for window placement that showcase your backyard and front of your home,” Chrusch says.

Mattamy also has the patented WideLot™ design (wider fronts and shallower widths) available on select homes. “Having a wider lot creates a sense of openness, making the space feel more pen and less cramped than in a narrow, long home,” she adds.

Rohit Communities offers a wide range of lot locations from interior to corner and have lot types including sunshine, walk-outs, pie shaped, level, back to front, split level, transitional each giving its own attribute and feature to capture sun exposure, accessibility to the yards, as well as layouts for the homes.

“In Heartwood (Rohit’s newest community of SE Calgary), we offer level lots, back to front, split level, walkouts, and transition lots – something for everyone,” Lieu says.

Zero lot lines are getting even more popular, as buyers look for more affordable home options.

“A zero-lot line home is built on one property line, allowing the same floor plan to fit on a narrower, more affordable lot,” says Rohit’s Lieu. “This smart design maintains full-depth backyards while reducing maintenance and cost to a single side yard. The cost savings on the lot often enable buyers to invest more in home upgrades, making zero lot line homes an increasingly popular choice in new communities like Heartwood.”