How Architectural Styles Influence Home Buying Decisions

Whether it’s a starter house or the proverbial dream home, buying a property is a big decision. Many factors must be balanced before someone can be comfortable signing on the dotted line to complete a real estate transaction.

While the typical factors such as finances and lifestyle will always be present, a property’s architectural style will also go a long way toward influencing the purchase decision. Keep reading as we explore the various home-buying considerations and how architectural design plays such an important role.

Factors Influencing Home-Buying Decisions

Shifting societal dynamics are changing the standards for what buyers are looking for in a home. Some of the most powerful contemporary trends include:

• More multi-income households. Increased professional responsibilities leave less time for essential household chores.

• Remote work and schooling. Modern homes must be versatile enough to accommodate remote professionals and increased home-schooling opportunities.

• Diverse families. The “nuclear” family has shifted dramatically from the norm of past decades. There are more single-parent households, same-sex parents, and step-families looking for homes.

• Multi-generational living arrangements. To help alleviate rising inflation, more and more families are living with retired parents/grandparents to assist with housing costs and childcare.

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• Variable retirement ages. The income gap has never been greater in our society. While some people can build a healthy nest egg and retire in their forties, others are having to work well into their seventies.

• Aging in place. Elderly care costs are untenable for many people. As such, there is a greater focus on finding homes that allow people to seamlessly enjoy their golden years with minimal disruption.

While not everyone (or perhaps any) of these dynamics will apply to a specific homebuyer, they are good examples of the factors that may cause some potential buyers to choose one particular architectural style over another.

Popular Architectural Styles in Modern Homes

The ranch house remains the most popular architectural style in the United States. It is defined by a sprawling, single-story layout. It uses an open floor plan, typically featuring a large kitchen and living area. It is noted for being practical and relatively low maintenance, if not necessarily the most architecturally stunning.

The contemporary architectural style has evolved from the ranch house preference to better reflect modern aesthetic tastes. Like the ranch style, it boasts an open floor plan with a strong focus on functionality. However, there is greater use of window area, clean lines, and innovative aesthetics when compared to traditional ranch designs.

Colonial, Greek Revival, and Georgian are some classic architectural styles that may appeal to buyers seeking a multi-story home. They typically feature a kitchen and living area on the main floor with sleeping arrangements on the upper stories.

Key Architectural Considerations When Buying a Home

Although there are some overarching architectural styles that buyers seek, many modern properties are a mix and match of certain designs and features. Below are some specific considerations that buyers put under the microscope when purchasing a home.

Functionality and Comfort

Despite the aforementioned shifting dynamics, a home remains, first and foremost, a refuge for people to live in and enjoy. Therefore, functionality and comfort are two of the most enduring purchase considerations for buyers. This is one of the reasons the open floor plan is so popular it promotes functionality. Fewer walls and 360-degree access to all square footage of a room give spaces more utility in bustling environments. Hard flooring options, such as engineered hardwood and polished concrete, are also en vogue.

In addition to stunning aesthetics, they can withstand heavy foot traffic and are easy to clean. Innovative electric floor heating can make hard flooring options more comfortable by slowly diffusing heat up through the flooring throughout the day, providing a consistent heating experience that eliminates cold pockets typical of forced-air heating systems.

Curb Appeal

The modern real estate market is extremely agile. It is not common for people to live in the same house and work at the same job just down the road for 50 years. Homes are likely to be listed multiple times over their lifetime.

As such, it is crucial for modern homes to have top-notch curb appeal to arrest the attention of potential buyers. Some ways to guarantee ongoing aesthetics include updating to a composite roof, hiring a reputable provider to install cedar shakes siding, and ensuring that all windows are clean and in good condition.

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Low Maintenance

As mentioned, most modern homeowners have less time to commit to household chores. Therefore, prioritize any and all low-maintenance features.

Hard flooring options are a great place to start. Also look into nonporous quartz countertops for streamlined cleaning. Don’t forget to lower maintenance requirements outdoors as well.

Consider inorganic cladding materials, such as steel log or fiber concrete, over more upkeep-intensive wood or masonry. Weigh the benefits of replacing concrete surfaces with more durable gravel driveway and sidewalk systems.

Don’t Underestimate the Role of Architecture in Real Estate

Among the diverse factors that influence a home buying decision, architectural style ranks near the top. It can greatly influence the functionality, comfort, curb appeal, and maintenance requirements--all of which play a crucial role in the buyer’s satisfaction with the property. For more of the latest trends in contemporary home construction, explore the resources at

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