124 HOME LANDSCAPING

The neighborhood of a home site is of great importance. A
house should be located among others of its size, age, and cost.
Neighbors with the same standards of living usually are harmonious
and sociable. In any neighborhood restrictions and zoning are
necessary. It is not well to buy in an undeveloped tract, for it
may develop badly. It is unwise to buy in an old section that has
passed its prime, for depreciation will set in and values fall. It is
advisable to buy in a very large residence tract so that business
sections will not enclose it, but stores, schools, transportation,
churches, and parks should be within convenient reach.

Spaciousness is so valuable that some conveniences should be
sacrificed to obtain it, particularly for children. A large lot helps
to provide quiet and privacy as well as space for activities. Some-
times a highly desirable half-acre or more on the outskirts of a
town costs no more than a small single lot closer in,

Exposure and outlook require careful consideration. A lot fac-
ing south is required for a living room on the front of the house,
whereas a lot facing north requires the living room to be on the
rear or at one side. Naturally a view of a park, lake, stream, ravine,
or mountain is of great value. Full-grown trees on the lot are
assets for beauty as well as for comfort.

Good drainage is essential, as a damp swampy location is bad for
the health and is otherwise also generally undesirable, A slight
slope is sometimes advantageous for drainage and for appearance;
however, a slope often adds to the cost and difficulty of building
and landscaping. A south and west slope is better than a north and
east slope. A site sloping up from the street is better than one
sloping down from the street or sideways. Solid, well-settled
earth under the foundation of the house is so essential that this
feature requires expert investigation.

When a satisfactory lot has been located thorough investigation
must be made of the title, assessments^ taxes, restrictions, easement^
survey > and the public utilities. The lot should be appraised by a
bank, mortgage company, building and loan association, or govern-
ment agency, in order to determine whether the price is reasonable,
The site should ordinarily be worth about 20 to 25 per cent of the
total value of the house, but only 5 or 10 per cent if the utilities
are not yet installed.