It’s a no-brainer that when buying a home, the design of our preference together with the allotted budget is always the top priority to consider. We ought to think that the house itself may be the complete package, but practically, it’s not. Apart from considering the costs and the accompanying advantages that a new house provides, it is also recommended for buyers to consider buying a house that gives them a great area for easier access. That said, the subdivided layout is to be given importance as well.
Thus, house blocks, especially when eyeing homes in subdivisions, must also be regarded. Choosing a reachable area gives you more convenience, as roads in subdivisions can be too much when you have to take in crossroads just to reach the main road. Yet, if you have been hunting for lots, you probably heard of real-estate agents mentioning buying a house in a battle-axe block. Battleaxe driveway may not give you a shorter way to access highways but they are considered by developers to give buyers lesser costs while still giving them ample advantages.
What is a Battle-Axe Block?
People tend to buy a unique subdivided layout for a location. Some prefer a wide frontage with an L-shaped ingress into a subdivided block.
A battle-axe block means that it pertains to a block of land that has a wide and long driveway to access main streets. Real-estate agents use this term because it means that the area resembles a hatchet, battle-axe, flagpole, or hammerhead — all of them can be used for an L-shaped lot. This is a result when property developers subdivide a long block of land widthwise, with the rear section becoming a battle-axe block. The grip of the handle of the battle-axe layout comprises the street going to the head of the battle-axe (the main road of the subdivision).
Thus, this type of design may be farther from the highway, but still provides buyers with an accessible way to pass through the subdivided areas.
The notion of naming a block of land after a weapon of war often confuses people when they hear it mentioned, phonetically people often think it is called a “Batalax block”, but that is not a real word.
What are the Pros of Battle-Axe Blocks?
One of the best advantages of battle-axe blocks is that they are way cheaper than the lots close to the main roads. Some tend to disregard the Battle-Axe design because it seems too far, but they are definitely a catch as the only difference is they are one or two roads away from the subdivision’s main road.
Moreover, battle-axe blocks house designs provide homeowners with more privacy, as they are farther from the noises of the main roads and tucked away from the public eye. Apart from this, they are also safe for children as they prevent them from direct access to main roads, which can be dangerous as a lot of vehicles tend to pass by. Hence, the long stretch of the enclosed driveway is ideal for families with small children, letting them play around the streets without worrying about the inevitable dangers of main roads.
What are the Cons of Battle-Axe Blocks?
Battle-axe blocks also have their drawbacks. The first that comes to people’s minds is always the proximity of the driveway from the main roads. They tend to be farther, thus you still have to drive along a stretched driveway just to reach the main subdivision road.
Apart from this, if you have visitors around, they will likely have difficulty locating your lot. As there are still a lot of streets to turn around, you might have to guide them just so they could reach your location most especially at night.
Still thinking whether to buy a Battle-Axe Block or not?
We can’t deny the fact that the cost of the lot is a major factor when buying a house. While battle-axe blocks may require a long drive to reach, the privacy, cost, and safety on the other hand overpower its cons. Whether you plan to live in the city or in the suburbs, it’s always a nice idea to invest in something that can give you a secure home. When buying a lot, you might as well check out battle-axe blocks. It is way cheaper but can still give you the benefits you want for a good house location.
