[quote=sdduuuude]I like big LOTS and I cannot lie …[/quote]

Classic sduuuude,….even whiteboys got to shout

But back to the topic, when you have little kids, yards are great. When they are in that middle phase, pools are great. When they grow up, both are a pain and views are great. But if it’s a family neighbrhood where mostly families want to live, and if schools are one of the reason for higher values, it really hurts you to just have a view and no yard.

The area and the specific market dictates if it’s worth it, and in family suburbs, you’ll probably get your money back and then some. A downtown high rise where families with little kids are not the dominant demographic, view is more important.

So it’s a broad question that will have different answers by area, a big lot matters more in some markets and a view matters in others. Proximity to something might matter in others. in Poway, being six streets west might mean nothing, but at the beach it could double the price. Good rule of thumb, if you are shopping the area because of the schools, get a decent sized yard or you will regret it. You dont want the one house that most of the shoppers drwn to that neigborhood will instantly rule out for whatever reason. Plus you have little kids, you’ll use it.