Front Foot
Front foot is a unit of measurement used to describe property that refers to one linear foot of street frontage. It's commonly used in commercial real estate valuation and assessment, where properties are priced or valued based on the amount of frontage facing the street.
Example
“The commercial lot was priced at $500 per front foot, making the 50-foot wide property worth $25,000 for the frontage alone.”
Memory Tip
Picture your property putting its "front foot forward" toward the street - that's what gets measured and valued.
Why It Matters
Front footage directly impacts property value, especially for commercial properties where street visibility and access are crucial for business success. Understanding front foot pricing helps investors and business owners evaluate the true cost and value of commercial real estate.
Common Misconception
Many assume front foot refers to the total property width, but it specifically measures only the portion directly facing the primary street or frontage road.
In Practice
A commercial lot priced at $500 per front foot with 100 feet of street frontage would cost $50,000 for the frontage value alone. Retail developers often pay premium prices per front foot for properties on busy streets where customer visibility is essential.
Etymology
Front foot originated in colonial America when property taxes and values were calculated by measuring the "front" footage facing the street, as street access determined commercial value.
Common Misspellings
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