Buying a new home can be complex, and involves taking a lot of different factors into consideration. These include location, price, lease details and more – which is why it’s incredibly important to get yourself a great conveyancing solicitor as a priority.
Of all the aspects of buying a home, residential architecture is often one of the most overlooked. In this article, we’re going to be looking at why architecture may be the most important consideration when buying a home.
What is Residential Architecture?
This term refers to the design and construction of homes, whether that’s a flat, a maisonette, or a house. Residential architecture is all about the art of creating homes which are attractive, but also practical and functional for today’s busy lifestyles.
In 2022, our homes often perform multiple functions, including workspace, learning hubs and annexes for elderly relatives. They’re also somewhere to switch off and unwind at the end of the day.
A residential architect is somebody who is able to bring all of these considerations together to create a comfortable and functional space for you and your family.
Why is Architecture Important When Buying a Home?
There are a number of reasons why architecture is essential when it comes to finding your next home. An expert will be able to walk you through these in detail but, in the meantime, some of these are:
Standing the test of time
Our lives very rarely standstill and, as the years go by, we find that our circumstances, desires, and requirements are subject to change. When purchasing a new home, we tend to think about how a particular property will match our requirements right now, however, this is only half the story.
We need to think about how our requirements may change in the future: for example, will there be the pitter-patter of tiny feet, or maybe you’ll need to accommodate an elderly parent. This is where residential architecture comes in, as it allows you to identify areas where changes such as extensions and remodelling could be made.
With older properties, making changes to the structure can be difficult and expensive whereas, with more modern homes, there will often be some built-in wiggle room which will more effectively help you plan for the future.
The green light
In 2022, we’re increasingly aware of the need to protect our planet’s resources through sustainability, and this includes our homes. Sustainability should be built into the very fabric of the modern building, and residential architecture facilitates this by allowing for more efficient energy and water use through innovation and technology.
Other factors to look out for here include the use of low impact, high-performance building materials within the structure of a property. Finding a home that has been built using sustainable and eco-friendly materials is a great way of doing your bit for the planet. It also helps to future-proof your home in terms of potential legislation as we head toward the 2050 goals.
What Does a Residential Architect Do?
Your residential architect will work closely with you in order to design your new home, extension, or building project. They will take your idea on board and advise you on what will and won’t work.
Your architect will then draw up blueprints (detailed drawings) of the project for use by your building team. Think of them as a bridge between your vision and the reality of your new home.
Other Considerations to Consider when Buying a Home
While residential architecture is incredibly important when buying a home, there are, of course, many other things to take into consideration. It’s a really good idea to create two lists – your ‘must haves’ and your ‘would likes’. For example, a property with two bedrooms may be a ‘must have’, whereas, a garden may come under ‘would like’. This will help you to decide what is important to you so you can then communicate this to your estate agent.
Ready to Buy or Renovate Your Home with Architecture in Mind?
Although there are many things to take into account when buying a home, architecture is, without a doubt, more important than you might think. Architecture can be considered to be the very heart of a property, and the one thing which gives a home its personality.
Buying a new home is one of the most significant investments you will ever make. You will, therefore, need to make sure that you have a great team behind you, including an established conveyancing solicitor and estate agent, to make sure that all of the decisions that you are making are the right ones.
