I actually like some lot traits, thou I find some more useful than others.
I like the homey trait - it makes learning Mixology, Cooking, Gardening, and Handiness Skills tons easier and its usually a staple on my residential lots because I love the food aspect of the sims.
The Great soil lot increases the speed plants grow -- great for you botanical and garden lovers, and me, since I'm one.
Bracing Breezes, Natural Light, and Science Lair are about the same as homey, but deal with other skills, so its based on what your sims are doing on the particular lot. These are all the ones I find most helpful anyway, so I don't think lot traits are useless.
I love some for just the sake of them like Romantic Aura and Sunny Aspect, specially if my sims are kinda gloomy and need a pick me up or some assistance with romance or something due to their normal traits.
Private Dwelling comes in handy if you have problems with pesky people always knocking on your apartment door. lol
Just to name some I use the most.
Some I am kinda questioning their value, but those I enjoy.