What is a bungalow?
A bungalow is a single-story house, cottage or cabin.
This term, bungalow has different meanings across the world but common features of these definitions include being detached, low-rise and the use of verandahs.
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When considering buying a property you may know exactly what you want or you may be looking with an open mind.
Whatever your attitude, one type of property is often overlooked: the humble bungalow. These single story houses have a reputation for being practical, and very fairly so.
The bungalow is much maligned but does it doesn’t deserve its reputation as an inferior alternative to two story homes. The bungalows of today have evolved.
So, even if the idea of living in a bungalow has never crossed your mind you may still find that buying one is the key to owning the home of your dreams.
Advantages:
Bungalows offer many advantages to the occupants of these distinctive homes:
– Flexibility: Bungalows are not restrictive as far as modifications are concerned. Space can easily be added by building an extension. There is anytime an option of converting a bungalow into a two-story property.
A bungalow offers a lot of room for renovation as space requirements changes. This level of flexibility does not exist in apartments and condominium units.
– Accessibility: Maybe the main attraction of a bungalow property is that with its single storey layout it is ideal for those with reduced mobility. Also because of the way in which these houses are constructed the interiors are highly customizable, meaning that doorways can easily be widened to more easily accommodate a wheelchair.
– Affordability: Maintaining a bungalow is affordable. Because of its moderate and open space, they have fairly modest heating and cooling requirements.
– Privacy: Because of their structure bungalows will either be detached or semi-detached, meaning that residents often have more privacy than in other types of property. Planting trees or shrubs around the edge of the property can create a very private atmosphere.
– Large plot size: Because of the nature of the foundations the overall size of the plot the property is built on will be larger than for a more conventional house. This means that you have excellent options for either extending your property or remodeling it.
– Good Investment: Buying a bungalow is a good investment. The property value of bungalow homes is not likely to decline. This architectural style has withstood the test of time. A well-maintained bungalow will have a higher resale value even during hard times. Indeed, in some areas the average bungalow has actually risen in value during the current property slump.
Disadvantages:
As with all types of houses bungalows also have their downsides:
– Cost per square foot: It is the claim that bungalows are overpriced for the actual living space you get. As there is only one floor, the cost per square foot of internal space is almost always more than that of a two story house. However, buying a bungalow may be a valid option to get you the perfect location.
– Lack of storage: Because of the high cost to floor space ratio it is likely that a bungalow will have fewer rooms than a two-levels property of the same price.
– Reputation: Because of their practicality over the years bungalows have earned a reputation for being stylistically out-dated and rather stuffy.
– Layout Considerations: Because all rooms are on the ground floor some private areas, such as bedrooms or bathrooms may be more visible than usual.
– Security: A bungalow lacks some of the most basic deterrents possessed by other types of property: namely hard to reach windows. Because every room (including the sleeping areas of every member of the family) is accessible from the ground it is extra important to have good security on all your doors and windows.
Conclusion:
The debate is on over the best type of house, a bungalow or a two-story. Both obviously have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Somehow it is just a matter of price that determines the final decision.
If you are in your forties, or older, a bungalow should be considered. The price for a bungalow will vary according to the area of town it is an. It will also depend on how large the home is and what features it offers.