What is a Front Foot?
Front Foot (FF) or Frontage Foot refers to a unit of measurement in real estate, specifically used to describe the linear distance of a property frontage along a public thoroughfare, such as a street, road, river, or plaza. This measurement is often used in urban planning and commercial real estate transactions where the value and utility of the property are influenced significantly by its frontage.
Key Points:
- Measurement Unit: Typically measured in feet.
- Utilized For: Determining the value of properties that benefit from exposure and access along major streets or commercial areas.
- Applications: Urban areas, downtown regions, commercial plots.
Examples of Front Foot Usage
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Commercial Lot Valuation:
- A commercial property on Main Street (100 feet of frontage) might be more valuable than a similar property on a side street with only 50 feet of frontage. When pricing the land, every front foot along Main Street is considered to contribute significantly to its market value.
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Urban Retail Strip:
- A retail shop that has a frontage of 25 feet on a popular downtown street will be assessed for rent based on its front footage. For instance, if the rent is quoted as $100 per front foot, the monthly rent would be calculated as $100 * 25.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the significance of the front foot measurement in real estate?
The front foot measurement is significant as it helps in assessing the value of a property based on its visibility, accessibility, and potential customer traffic. Properties with greater frontage on busy streets generally command higher prices.
How is front footage different from total lot square footage?
Front footage specifically refers to the linear distance along the front boundary of a property, while lot square footage measures the total area of the plot. Both metrics are crucial for different evaluative purposes in real estate.
Why is front footage important in commercial real estate?
In commercial real estate, front footage is critical because it directly impacts a property’s marketability and potential revenue generation. Businesses favor locations with substantial frontage for better customer visibility and ease of access.
Does front footage affect residential properties?
Although less critical than in commercial real estate, front footage can still influence residential property value, particularly for homes on busy streets or prestigious neighborhoods where increased frontage may provide better aesthetics and curb appeal.
Related Terms
1. Lot Depth:
- Definition: The distance between the front and back property lines.
- Usage: In conjunction with front foot to determine the overall lot area.
2. Setback:
- Definition: The minimum distance a building or structure must be set back from a street or road.
- Usage: Influences usable and buildable area of a plot.
3. Street Line:
- Definition: The boundary line between a plot of land and an adjacent street.
- Usage: Used to determine front footage.
Online Resources
- National Association of Realtors (NAR)
- U.S. National Center for Real Estate Research
- Urban Land Institute (ULI)
References
- Brueggeman, W. B., & Fisher, J. D. (2010). Real Estate Finance & Investments. McGraw-Hill Education.
- Geltner, D. M., Miller, N. G., Clayton, J., & Eichholtz, P. (2013). Commercial Real Estate Analysis and Investments. Cengage Learning.
- Ratcliffe, J., Stubbs, M., & Keeping, M. (2020). Urban Planning and Real Estate Development. Routledge.
Suggested Books for Further Study
- Real Estate Principles: A Value Approach by David C. Ling and Wayne Archer.
- Principles of Real Estate Practice by Stephen Mettling and David Cusic.
- The Real Estate Wholesaling Bible by Than Merrill.
