Some home builders will try anything...

[MParr]

The finished floor elevation is below the road grade. Hard pass.

 

[dishdude]

That grading is terrible, a lot of water will be coming at that house during a downpour.

 

[zzyzzx]

You would assume the land that those houses were built on was much cheaper than it would have been if the land was flat. The houses should then sell cheaper too.

Fixed:
You would assume the land that those houses were built on was much cheaper than it would have been if the land was flat. The builder made more profit.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Need AWD just to get out on a rainy day and chains if it snows. Haha. Plus the water runs right into the side of the house during a downpour.

Just what I always wanted.

My mothers house sits on a steep grade like this and I kick myself for being fooled by the MLS photo because I would've told her to not buy it even though she enjoyed the security and familiarity of remaining in the same neighborhood that her previous house was located in. Thankfully her driveway is only about 1.5 car lengths long and has a French drain in front of the garage doors to absorb any water.

 

[zzyzzx]

Anyone else thinking that if that driveway gets iced up that someone is going to be in their car careening off a cliff?

 

[AZjeff]

In a state like Arizona where 85% of land is public and privately owned building land is scarce the first lot isn't unusual. I've never seen one as bad as the 2nd one pictured but they're no doubt here.

 

[Pablo]

Looks like a LOT of houses in WA state frankly. Some multi-millions, on the water on one side and a somewhat busy coastal road on the other side (driveway side). I mean kinda need inside or on your deck but..............no. Just no.

 

[Hammer]

The garage should've been on the side rather than the front

Exactly....there is no way to use it for automobiles unless you drive in the grass. It's basically a storage unit now.

But then again, my own garage is basically storage even though I have normal automoble access. Lol

 

[97prizm]

What were they thinking?

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The only time I'VE ever seen that was on a few mountain homes up in the canyon. Still is not a great idea to put your home lower than the street.

 

[John105]

Its not that crazy. Look just behind it, the house sits well above the gully behind the back yard, and even more low land is past the gully. If runoff is managed correctly, it should work out.

To answer the question specifically, the developer did just what any other would do. They utilized whatever land they had to turn a profit. Simple, really.

Seems like an ideally architected home is difficult. My dad told me corner lot, six windows across the front, and garage side loads. I’ve seen really expensive homes that have the garage facing the street…

 

[thastinger]

On the upside, the lawn gets plenty of water.

 

[walterjay]

I have seen and encountered worse. Twice I got stuck in a van unable to get up the hill.

 

[alarmguy]

WELL, to answer the OP question "what were they thinking" is simply the builders will build what people will buy and these people not only bought it but paid full or above asking price. Certainly not for my wife an I though. Our last two homes bought new, we walked the lots (100% true with respect to elevation) and made sure we were higher than most other homes, not lower! It has paid off.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/107-Crown-Ct-Kings-Mountain-NC-28086/214084755_zpid/

 

[KrisZ]

A better question is what rational person would buy such a poorly graded house?

 

[DriveHard]

It is in North Carolina...no snow to speak of, so who cares...

 

[Danno]

My son lives on a curve and his house has been hit three times. I bet that house will have visitors from runoffs.

Time for some of these strategically placed.

 

[ripcord]

Needs a ski-lift for going to the mail box.

 

[CKN]

Some people don't want a back yard or much of a back yard. Low maintenance is preference for some now.

This is correct. The days of people wanting bigger lots are over.

 

[gfh77665]

Looks like a LOT of houses in WA state frankly. Some multi-millions, on the water on one side and a somewhat busy coastal road on the other side (driveway side). I mean kinda need inside or on your deck but..............no. Just no.

This is my BIL's Company. He specializes building on steep slopes. Located in OR.

https://www.westlakedevelopmentllc.com/steep-slope-experts/

 

[I<3oil]

Someone will buy that.
PT Barnum nailed it.

Lol yep. Someone will actually pay money for it