Queens home buyers - house or land?

Which is more important to you? I was really looking at many of the new homes in Malba, Whitestone, Beechhurst and it's all house w/no yard.

I know we're Queens so I'm realistic with plot sizes but I still want some type of yard.

I wish if they're going to build the McMansions they would be more appropriate to the plot size.

Re: Queens home buyers - house or land?

I think those specific ares of queens have bigger houses on the smaller lots.

I prefer SOME land. Obviously in Queens you aren't going to get an acre. I don't like the way the HUGE houses on tiny lots look.

You might be better off looking in Bayside/Douglaston/Little Neck...more of a long island feel with the size of houses/lots.

Re: Queens home buyers - house or land?

Yup I come from Howard Beach and there are some gorgeous homes but on smaller lots.
Many are 40-60x100

Re: Queens home buyers - house or land?

I didn't buy in Queens, but I can drive into Queens in under five minutes, and I feel like the properties are not much different here than in Queens.

I think land is important. We have the smallest house on our block, but one of the largest properties (if not the largest property). I like it because we can expand our house outward, but we will still always have a backyard.

ETA: I feel like you can always add on to a house, but-with the expectation of rare circumstances-the land is the land.

Message edited 4/25/2012 7:58:37 AM.

Re: Queens home buyers - house or land?

I would want some land...I used to live in Whitestone and would admire the beautiful homes and then realize there is no yard. With kids I think a yard is very important (not huge but a descent size)

Re: Queens home buyers - house or land?

I live in Beechhurst and I'm not a huge fan of all the McMansions that have gone up around here over the years. I think the people who build them just build to out do the last 5 that went up.

That being said - I don't want a lot of property that I have to maintain. My mom is on a big lot 60x100 and we help out with the maintenance of it and its $$ and time consuming.

I would take something in between a McMansion and decent lot size.

Re: Queens home buyers - house or land?

Re: Queens home buyers - house or land?

I'm with you. I like a balance between house and yard. Even in the opposite situation. I've lived in Queens my whole life; I grew up with 30x100 and now live on 60x100, so when I look at some of the pictures people post of their houses/property here (particularly in Suffolk), all that yard seems like a waste to me. But I prefer it to the opposite.

You should look in N. Flushing...zoning is tight and many properties are protected by covenants restricting house size, etc. so you don't see too many McMansions.

Re: Queens home buyers - house or land?