Avoid two-story homes

[powayseller]

Over at bubbleinfo.com, Jim Klinge gives a buying tip:
Buy a one-story home. Two-stories are less desireable. I personally agree. Two stories make sense for small lots, but if you have a choice, get a lot that holds the entire house, so you are not forced to cut it in half. Older people prefer single story homes, too.

I like that Jim has the data to make the point.

We already know the other important items: not backing up to a busy street, a cul-de-sac location, views.

Anything else that is not obvious?

[PerryChase]

I too love the usability of one story floor plans. However, I think that large lots are wasteful. Personally, I’d rather have a 1 story apartment/condo than a same size townhouse.

One story houses are definitely better than 2-story house, if given the choice.

BTW, cul de sac is generally not Feng-Shui.

[FormerOwner]

I also agree that 1 story houses are preferable, especially inland, where that second story can get really expensive to keep cool. There are some 3 story homes up here in Temecula and I can’t imagine what they do with that third story when it’s 107 in the summer (a couple of weeks ago it actually got up to 117 degrees in Temecula – global warming, I guess).

[Steve Beebo]

I agree – in the long run, a one-story home is better as the baby-boomer population continues to age. Or if you do buy a two-story home, one with the master suite on the first level is preferable.

The problem is, that in a lot of areas, like Carmel Valley, there are almost no one-story homes.

[powayseller]

That is going to be a problem for home values in Carmel Valley then. No single stories at all? I thought that was a nice area over there?

[Carlsbadliving]

Two stories make sense for small lots, but if you have a choice, get a lot that holds the entire house, so you are not forced to cut it in half.

Wouldn’t a larger lot with a big yard plus a one story house be most desirable. Who’s going to make you cut it in half?

[sdrealtor]

Supply and demand at work. Single levels are far more rare and those that need them, really need them. The aging of the boomers will certainly continue to drive this.

[anxvariety]

I’m a renter and my room(master bedroom) is on the second floor… damn does it ever get hot!!! If you’re going to buy a 2 story, make sure it has ventilation!!

[PD]

Perhaps we all need to invest in residential elevators instead. 🙂

[speedingpullet]

…horses for courses, as they say where I’m from 😉

My mother-in-law is deliberately looking for a 2-storey house whe she moves.

She says that, now she is getting along a bit, she wants the excercise of climbing up an down the stairs!

[PerryChase]

speedingbullet, excercise of climbing up and down the stairs is a good idea. It’s better than nothing and I’ll keep your mother-in-law mobile longer than she would otherwise be. One of my auntie is 92 and she’s in super shape from stair climbing about 20 times per day. Everybid of excercise counts.

Yes, especially inland, the 2nd story gets hot. It’s good to have an attic fan set on thermostat that draws out the air as it gets warmed up by the sun hitting the roof.

Large 2 bedroom single level homes are best for seniors in wheelchairs.

[Author]

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