A lot of these homes seem designed for a catalogue …they look impressive on the front page of a glossy, but viewed up close they lack warmth and character. If they last a 100 years, and weather-in, who knows perhaps they’ll be sought after. I don’t agree that the more expensive homes are necessarily more beautiful. High price tags and people with the money to match are sometimes the only things that do match in that relationship. I am always struck by how beautiful areas are sometimes completely ruined by sprawling eye sores. Much of the French Riviera springs to mind, whereas the Italians have always been very strict. They’d rather let something fall down than replace it is with …how shall say, modern progress. But let’s face it charm, character, warmth, and community are not on everyone’s list of priorities, more’s the pity.