Why are some homes missing gutters?

Alex from Arkansas asks:

I live in Northwest Arkansas and noticed recently that my home and most of the homes in my neighborhood do not have gutters. Do you know why this is? We get a decent amount of rain and some snow each year, so it seems relevant (and who likes to get drenched in water falling off the roof when you walk off your porch?) Does it maybe have to do with the fact that most of the homes in the area don't have basements and so we don't need to worry about moving water away from the foundation?

1. Soil & Foundation Considerations – Since many homes in the area don’t have basements, there’s generally less concern about water seeping down and causing foundation issues. Homes with basements or crawl spaces often require gutters to redirect water away and prevent flooding.
2. Clay-Based Soil – Northwest Arkansas has a lot of clay-heavy soil, which is less permeable and naturally directs water away from the foundation. In some cases, builders rely on grading (the slope of the yard) to control drainage instead of gutters.
3. Builder Cost-Saving Measures – Many home builders opt not to install gutters as a way to reduce costs, assuming homeowners will add them later if needed.
4. Local Building Norms – In some areas, gutters are just not as commonly installed unless requested. However, as you mentioned, they can be very beneficial, especially in areas with steady rainfall and snowmelt.