PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN AND LAYOUT AS AFFECTING THE VALUE OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

Purchasing a house is probably one of the most expensive investment a family makes. As such the purchaser would be inclined to carefully assess the adequacy of all the relevant characteristics of the property he considers buying. The dwelling's design is obviously one of the more important of the multitude of other factors to be considered. Other important considerations include the provision of facilities and amenities, for these tend to enhance the livability of the dwelling. The potential purchaser has certain preferences regarding the above features. Where a property offered on the market fails to conform to market standards and preferences it suffers from functional inutility. Functional inutility detracts from the value and marketability of the property. In poor market situations such properties would be especially difficult to sell.