Lot-Yield / Density Calculator

Answer a few questions about the raw land, and this works out how many home lots it could actually produce — and what that's worth to a builder.

Inputs

Gross acresThe total size of the parcel, straight off the deed or listing — before subtracting anything unusable.

Unbuildable acresLand that can't have a house on it: wetlands, steep slopes, easements, power-line buffers, etc. We'll subtract this from gross acres.

How does zoning limit this land?Check the local zoning code — it will cap development one of these two ways. Pick whichever one matches what you found.

“Minimum lot size” means the code sets how small each individual lot can be (e.g. every lot must be at least 8,000 sq ft) — common in lower-density, single-family zoning.

Minimum lot size (sq ft)The smallest lot the zoning code allows. A standard quarter-acre lot is about 10,890 sq ft.

Efficiency factorWhat share of the net acreage actually becomes house lots, after roads, sidewalks, and common areas eat into it. Course default: 0.7, meaning 70% becomes lots and 30% is lost to infrastructure. Leave this unless you have a reason to change it.

Output

Fill in the inputs on the left and hit Calculate to see results.

What Should You Offer the Seller?

Start with what all those finished homes would sell for in total, then subtract the builder's profit and their cost to develop the land. What's left is a fair price to offer the current landowner.

Calculate a lot yield above first — this needs that number.

Est. finished home value ($)What a brand-new home here would sell for, based on nearby comps.

Developer profit margin (%)The cut a builder needs to make the deal worth doing — 20% is a common default.

Development cost per lot ($)What it costs the builder to turn one raw lot into a build-ready one: grading, utilities, permits, roads.