Definition
Frontage is the linear measurement of a piece of land that borders a water body, street, highway, or similar feature. This term is commonly used in real estate to determine property value, as the frontage can influence the accessibility and visibility of a property.
Examples
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Waterfront Property: A lakefront property with a frontage of 100 feet along the water could command a higher price compared to a similar property with less or no water frontage.
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Commercial Real Estate: A retail store with 50 feet of street frontage on a busy commercial street generally has a higher value due to better visibility and accessibility to customers.
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Residential Property: A home with 75 feet of frontage on a prestigious avenue may be priced higher compared to homes with lesser frontage on less desirable streets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors influence the value of frontage?
The value of frontage can be influenced by various factors including location, traffic flow, accessibility, visibility, and the potential for development. Waterfront and highway frontage typically fetch higher prices due to their desirability and accessibility.
Why is frontage important in real estate?
Frontage is important because it can affect a property’s usability, marketability, and value. Properties with ample frontage offer better access and visibility, which can be crucial for commercial properties and desirable for residential properties.
How is frontage different from total land area?
Frontage measures the length of the property boundary that faces a significant feature like a street or body of water, while the total land area measures the entire size of the property, typically in square feet or acres.
Can frontage impact zoning regulations?
Yes, frontage can impact zoning regulations. Some jurisdictions have minimum frontage requirements for property development to ensure adequate access and spacing between buildings.
A front foot is a unit of measurement used in real estate to express pricing based on the linear frontage of a property. It is the distance of the property that directly faces the street, highway, or waterfront.
- Lot Size: The total area of a piece of land, usually measured in square feet or acres.
- Setback: The minimum distance which a building or structure must be set back from a street or road to comply with zoning regulations.
- Right of Way: A strip of land over which facilities such as highways, railroads, or power lines are built and where passage is granted.
- Easement: A legal right to use another’s land for a specific limited purpose.
- Curb Appeal: The visual attractiveness of a property as viewed from the street.
Online References to Online Resources
- Investopedia - Front Foot
- National Association of Realtors - Property Valuation
- Zillow - Real Estate Guide
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- Real Estate Principles: A Value Approach by David C. Ling and Wayne R. Archer
- The Book on Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner
- Real Estate Market Analysis: Methods and Case Studies by Deborah L. Brett and Adrienne Schmitz
Fundamentals of Frontage: Real Estate Basics Quiz
### What does frontage measure on a piece of land?
- [ ] The total land area.
- [x] The linear distance along a water body, street, or highway.
- [ ] The height of buildings on the property.
- [ ] The total number of structures on the property.
> **Explanation:** Frontage measures the linear distance along a significant feature like a water body, street, or highway, and is crucial for determining property value.
### Why might a commercial property with more frontage be more valuable?
- [x] Better visibility and access to customers.
- [ ] Higher construction costs.
- [ ] Easier maintenance.
- [ ] More tax benefits.
> **Explanation:** More frontage improves visibility and access, which can attract more customers and increase the property's commercial value.
### How is frontage different from lot size?
- [ ] Frontage measures height, and lot size measures width.
- [ ] Frontage includes buildings, and lot size includes only the land.
- [x] Frontage measures linear distance along a feature, while lot size measures total land area.
- [ ] There is no difference.
> **Explanation:** Frontage is the linear distance along a significant feature, while lot size refers to the total land area of the property.
### What unit is typically used to price frontage?
- [ ] Square meters
- [ ] Square feet
- [x] Front foot
- [ ] Acres
> **Explanation:** Frontage is often priced in terms of "front foot," a unit that refers to the linear distance facing the feature.
### Which of the following factors does NOT influence the value of frontage?
- [ ] Visibility
- [ ] Accessibility
- [ ] Potential for development
- [x] Color of the property
> **Explanation:** The color of the property does not influence the value of frontage, whereas visibility, accessibility, and development potential do.
### What does a "front foot" represent in real estate?
- [ ] A measure of the depth of the lot.
- [x] A measure of linear frontage.
- [ ] A measure of building height.
- [ ] A measure of interior square footage.
> **Explanation:** A "front foot" represents the linear measure of frontage along a significant feature like a street or body of water.
### Which term is used to describe the minimum distance a building must be set back from the street?
- [x] Setback
- [ ] Right of Way
- [ ] Easement
- [ ] Lot size
> **Explanation:** Setback describes the minimum distance that buildings must be set back from streets or roads according to zoning regulations.
### Can frontage impact zoning regulations?
- [x] Yes, it can impact minimum frontage requirements for development.
- [ ] No, frontage has no impact on zoning regulations.
- [ ] Yes, but only for rural properties.
- [ ] No, but it affects tax assessments.
> **Explanation:** Frontage can impact zoning regulations, including minimum frontage requirements for property development.
### Which type of property might have a higher price per front foot?
- [x] Waterfront property
- [ ] Rural farmland
- [ ] Industrial land
- [ ] Undeveloped wilderness
> **Explanation:** Waterfront properties generally have higher prices per front foot due to their desirability and limited availability.
### What other factors, besides frontage, are typically considered in property valuation?
- [ ] Building height and age.
- [ ] Property color and landscape design.
- [x] Lot size, improvements, and location.
- [ ] Seasonal changes and weather patterns.
> **Explanation:** Lot size, improvements (e.g., buildings, facilities), and location are typically considered alongside frontage in property valuation.
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