Questions, answered.

A property is underbuilt when the current structure is smaller than what local zoning and building codes allow on that lot. For example, if a home is 1,500 square feet but zoning permits up to 4,500 square feet, that property is underbuilt. The Underbuilt Score in Breezy shows how much development potential remains. This concept is most relevant in markets where land is scarce and expensive. If you're not familiar with it, that's normal. It's a newer negotiation tool.

A floor area ratio (FAR) limits how much total building is allowed relative to the lot size. If your lot is 10,000 square feet and the FAR is 0.45, you can build up to 4,500 square feet of structure. FAR is one of the zoning factors that determines a property's Underbuilt Score in Breezy.

A setback requirement is the minimum distance a building must be set back from the property line. Front setbacks, side setbacks, and rear setbacks are defined by local zoning codes. Setbacks reduce how much of a lot you can actually build on, which is why the maximum buildable size is often smaller than the raw lot dimensions suggest. Breezy factors setbacks into the Underbuilt Score calculation.

Underbuilt compares the size of what is currently on the property with what local zoning may allow. It looks at rules such as setbacks, lot coverage, height limits, hillside constraints, and other planning factors to estimate potential.

The Underbuilt Score is a percentage that represents how much of a lot's building potential is currently unused. A score of 70% means the existing structure uses only about 30% of what zoning allows. A higher score means more room to build. A score near 0% means the property is already close to its maximum allowable size. The score accounts for zoning codes, setbacks, height limits, floor area ratios, and terrain.

Not necessarily. A high score can indicate strong zoning potential, but that does not automatically mean the project makes sense in the real world. Construction cost, neighborhood fit, resale value, and practical building constraints still matter.

This usually means the existing home was built under older rules and may be legally nonconforming today. The current structure may be allowed to remain, but rebuilding or replacing it could be subject to stricter modern rules.

UnderBuilt Radar uses zoning data, property details, and local building rules to estimate build potential. While highly reliable, results should always be reviewed alongside local regulations and professional guidance before making final decisions.

Breezy estimates max build based on the zoning rules and planning constraints it can identify for that property, such as lot coverage, setbacks, hillside conditions, and other build-related limitations. It is meant to give you a strong starting point, not a final architectural or legal determination.

Not always. In many areas, the estimate is focused mainly on above-ground living area, but basement treatment varies by municipality. Some cities count basements differently, so this is something worth verifying locally when it matters.

Height limits depend on the zoning rules for that property. Where available, Breezy surfaces the relevant height guidance in the zoning details of the report.

Underbuilt can help show whether there may be meaningful expansion or redevelopment potential, but it is still only the starting point. Rebuilding depends on more than zoning alone, including permitting, cost, site conditions, and city review.

In most cases, Underbuilt is intended to evaluate a property on its own. Adjacent lots or combined parcels often require more specialized review, especially if entitlement or parcel consolidation is part of the opportunity.

The colorful map overlay in the Underbuilt view shows the topography of the lot. It highlights flat vs. sloped areas. This matters because building codes factor in slope when calculating how much you can build. Properties on steep terrain have less buildable area than the lot size alone would suggest. Flat areas can generally be built on; steep slopes often cannot.

Not always. Some environmental or site-specific constraints may sit outside the core zoning analysis and can still affect what is truly feasible. Those should be checked separately when they are relevant to the property.

Breezy's primary focus is single-family residential. Underbuilt is built around residential use cases that matter most to agents, especially single-family homes. In mixed-use or more complex zoning situations, Breezy is still oriented around the residential interpretation most relevant to agents and their clients.

No. While developers and investors may find it valuable, Breezy is positioning Underbuilt for agents who want to better advise buyers, sellers, and homeowners about potential, value, and future possibilities tied to a property.

Not as a primary use case today. Underbuilt is most reliable for standard single-family residential scenarios, which is where Breezy is deliberately focused.

Breezy uses zoning and related property information drawn from official local sources and structured datasets. The goal is to ground the analysis in legitimate, location-specific rules rather than guesswork.

Zoning data is updated periodically, not in real time. Breezy aims to keep this information fresh, but zoning can change, so important decisions should always be verified with the relevant local authority or professional.