When people shop for land, they often think they need a lot of acres. But a small lot can be a smart choice. It costs less to buy, and it costs less to keep.
Here is a plain look at why small lots are affordable, what they can hold, and what to check before you buy one.
Why small lots cost less
The first reason is simple. You are buying less land. A lot that is a fifth of an acre does not cost what a ten-acre piece costs.
The second reason is the yearly bill. Property taxes are based on the land, so a small lot usually has a smaller tax bill. Our 0.17-acre lot in Palatka, Florida, has a low yearly tax bill. There is also less to mow, clear, and look after.
The third reason is the location. Many small lots sit in older, platted neighborhoods. These streets were laid out long ago with lots of the same size. Some already have a paved road, and power may be at the road or close by.
How big is a small lot?
Numbers can be hard to picture, so here are two real examples.
Our Palatka lot is 0.17 acres. That is about 50 feet wide and 150 feet deep.
In Interlachen, Florida, each lot in our double lot is about 75 feet by 125 feet. That is a little over a fifth of an acre.
Most lots in these neighborhoods are about a fifth of an acre. They are made for a single home, not a farm.
What can you do with a small lot?
More than you might think. Both of our Putnam County properties are zoned single-family residential. That means you can put one home on the lot. Manufactured, mobile, and modular homes are all allowed. You can also keep an RV on the lot while you build.
A small lot also works well for a quiet getaway near the water or the lakes. Many people like the idea of a simple place that is all theirs.
What a small lot is not good for is a big property with lots of buildings. If you want animals, a large garden, or room for many structures, you may want more land. That brings us to double lots.
Why some buyers pick a double lot
A double lot is two lots side by side, sold together. You get more room for a home, a yard, a garden, and some space between you and the neighbors.
Our Interlachen double lot is 0.44 acres in all. It is about 150 feet by 125 feet. The two lots are sold together as one property.
Keep in mind that a double lot is two parcels, so it has two parcel numbers and two tax bills. That is still a small number to track, and you can look up each parcel on the county map.
What to check before you buy any small lot
Small does not mean you can skip your homework. Here is a short list.
Zoning: Is it zoned for the kind of home you want? Ask the county.
Home types: Are manufactured, mobile, or modular homes allowed?
Size and shape: Check the width and depth. A narrow lot can limit where a home can go.
Setbacks: Counties often require a home to sit a set distance from the lot lines. Ask the county what they are.
Road access: Is the road paved or dirt, and who maintains it?
Utilities: How far is the power? Will you use a well and septic?
Flood zone: Check the FEMA flood zone. Both of our lots are in zone X, the lowest-risk zone.
HOA: Ask if there is one. Our Putnam County lots have none.
Taxes: Look up the latest tax bill for the parcel.
In Putnam County, you can search a parcel number at pamap.putnam-fl.gov to see the county's map and information.
Final thought
A small lot will not fit every dream. But for many buyers, it is a low-cost way to own a piece of Florida, with a low yearly bill and room for a home. If you want more space, a double lot can give you that without a big jump in cost. If you have questions about a lot, send us a message and we will share what we know.