If you’re wondering whether your next move should be into a bungalow or multi-storey property, there are more pros and cons to these housing types than you may have realised, making it a slightly less simple decision than you might have thought.
You’ll need to take a number of things into account, including the ages, mobility requirements, finances and size of your household and whether one or more of you needs to work from home. At the same time, ponder any future moves and how your property choice now could affect that. Equally, consider whether and how your personal circumstances might change further down the line.
To help you make an informed decision, here we assess some of the advantages and potential drawbacks of each style of home.
Bungalows – the benefits
· Ease of access
Clearly, the key advantage is the ease of access this property type affords, with stairs taken out of the equation. That could really matter if you or someone you live with are a little older or facing mobility issues. Equally, the lack of stairs can be a major safety plus for families with small children.
· Maintenance and cleaning
There’s no need to drag the Hoover to the upper floor (or indeed clean the stairs). Meanwhile, windows are easy to reach and wash. So when it comes to daily cleaning and basic repairs and upkeep, bungalow living can make things easier.
· Extension potential
Many bungalows have extensive gardens, so there can be great potential to adapt or extend your home in the way you want, and as your needs change.
· Enhanced privacy
With no upper windows, you should feel less overlooked in a bungalow, so you and your neighbours enjoy a greater degree of privacy.
And – the potential drawbacks?
As with anything else, there are a few of these, including:
· Space
Your bungalow might have a generous horizontal layout, but space in this property type can be limited, as can storage capacity.
· Price per square foot can be higher
Bungalows’ desirability, especially among certain groups, can mean (perhaps surprisingly) that they command a greater per-square-foot price than properties with more than one storey. Of course, this is actively a bonus when it comes to selling, since you can set a higher asking value.
· Limited choice in terms of aesthetics
There’s no denying the charm of the traditional bungalow. But you won’t find huge aesthetic, design or structural variety among these structures. .
Multi-storey homes: the pros
· Design flexibility
You should find, with a multi-storey home, that you do have a greater number of design options and more structural versatility. For example, if you want a second-floor study or views over the garden or other outside space, a home with more than one floor could be your best option.
· Separate areas for living, working and sleeping
This is another distinct advantage. Having clear divisions for different daily activities, including living working and sleeping, can enhance your quality of life.
So what are the possible drawbacks?
· Accessibility
If navigating stairs is an issue, you’ll need to think in terms of how you’ll manage. Would a handrail, for example, make it possible to access the second floor? Stair safety needs to be front in mind, whether you have elderly family members or little ones. Clearly, stairs also need to be consistently well maintained and safe.
· Potentially higher energy bills
You can lose energy between floors, plus there’s obviously more space to heat and cool, so bills can be higher if you live in a home with multiple storeys. Of course, introducing energy-efficiency measures and insulation will help.
· Potential noise transfer
In multi-storey homes, noise can travel more, from overhead footsteps to the sounds of the TV drifting upstairs. So you may need to think about how sound will move through your home, and how to mitigate its effects.
Talk to us
At Carter & May, we’re the leading independent estate agency for Salisbury and around, including Amesbury, Fordingbridge, Ringwood and the New Forest. Talk to us whether you’re buying or renting – we’ll be glad to advise on your next move and which property type might best suit your particular needs.