The price of a corner site in our country is much higher than in other countries as witnessed in open auctions and also during sale of such sites by individuals. For some owners, owning such a corner site is a matter of ‘prestige’ and convenience with no one on one side of the site at least. “One less troublesome nosy neighbour,” is what might prompt an owner in investing in a corner site. It is the ‘owner’s pride’ that determines the value of the corner site which is always in short supply.
Strange as it might sound, in the USA where land is available in hundreds of acres for housing, the value of a corner site is slightly less than others. The reason — a corner site is exposed to traffic on the street adjacent to the proposed house. There is some amount of traffic and the children could face a hazard while crossing the street, or while playing, though this is considered a small risk, as drivers are careful while driving in residential zones. However, there is noise and pollution to some extent, though the houses are mostly centrally air-conditioned with the walls made soundproof.
A point worth noting is that most houses in the US do not have any fencing especially in the front, though some sort of makeshift fencing with wooden planks could be built at the back. Most people adhere to this rule with rare exceptions. As such a built-up compound wall separating two houses in an exception than rule.
We in our country tend to cut down most trees, if standing on a site before construction could commence. On the other hand, the builder and the owner of the plot in the US would go all out to save trees. In fact, the value of the plot goes up if there are trees, which add to the aesthetic beauty as well provide shade and clean air.
Moreover, birds too can nest in such trees much to the delight of the children. Houses are constructed around the trees. Only those trees that interfere with the main construction, have to go, albeit reluctantly. We too have such examples of saving trees with construction around them. For example, some trees are allowed to grow ‘inside’ the house, mainly within the portico or verandah, taking care to provide space for the tree to grow without restrictions.
Landscaping is of great importance to the house owner who plans it well in advance by consulting experts in gardening and landscaping. Plants are carefully chosen which are attractive and flowering too. Some counties in the US do not encourage householders to grow fruit trees as these might attract insects, pests and emit a strong smell. However, small kitchen gardens are ok. Having a nice green lawn is the norm, which is carefully planned and provisions made to have automatic sprinklers, which could be programmed in advance on a weekly schedule. Most of the time the owner takes pride in maintaining the lawn and garden personally. The rule is that all householders would have to keep their lawn in order and see that these are mowed regularly, mostly on weekends. There is a whirr of these lawnmowers over the weekend that shows how consciously the house owners take their responsibility seriously.
The idea is that a house that has a poorly maintained lawn and garden brings a bad name not only to itself but devalues the neighbourhood and so the neighbourhood does not condone such lapses. The last thing a house owner wants is his/her neighbour requesting him/her politely to mow the lawn. If the house owner is unable to maintain the lawn and the garden in good shape personally, he/she could hire the service of a professional person(s) on payment on the basis of dollars per hour worked. This is generally done once a week.
