When home shopping, many buyers look for a single-family home that's spacious and luxurious. But what about the yard? Should you pay more attention to the size of your lot rather than just the size of the house? Here are five often-overlooked indicators that this may be an important point for you.

1. You Want to Build Value. Homes with significant yard space can retain their value better than a small lot. That's partially because whatever happens to the structures, the land endures. And in many cities, large yards are rare and so have much more inherent value no matter what the structure may need. 

2. You Like Privacy. Do you value privacy and noise protection? Then keep in mind that more space adds to the many ways your yard contributes to both. It provides space to add more greenery or hardscape between you and prying eyes. And a large yard by itself makes it less likely you will be close enough to hear your neighbors arguing or smell their tobacco smoke. 

3. You May Expand Later. In order to expand a house, you generally need somewhere to go. This means that not only do you need more yard space around the home, but you may also need it in areas that traditionally get shortchanged in many lots — such as the side yard or front yard. 

4. You Can't Afford a Grand House. If your budget is somewhat limited, you may do well to use more of it to get a bigger plot. The reason? You can make up for some of what the house lacks by utilizing the yard space better. For instance, you might add an outdoor entertainment area, plant a lawn for the kids, or enclose a patio to create faux inside space. 

5. You're a Homebody. Someone who likes to spend a lot of time at home may look first and foremost at the square footage of the house. But the lot around that house adds to your sense of enjoyment of the home. The larger, more private yard creates a haven right at home. It can often boost natural lighting and cool temperatures. And you have options for customization that you won't have if the house is hemmed in. 

Which of these five reasons applies to your personal situation as a single-family homebuyer? No matter whether you want to use your budget in the wisest way, plan for later expansion, or create a backyard haven, a large yard could be just as important — or more so — than a large home layout. Learn more by meeting with an experienced real estate agent in your area today.

For more information, contact a company like The Guerra Group: Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate.