These days bungalows are often portrayed as being a bit stuffy or old-fashioned, but like any property the humble bungalow has several plus-points as well as the negatives.
With its single-storey layout, a bungalow is, of course, ideal for people with reduced mobility. Bungalows are usually be easily customised, with doorways widened to accommodate a wheelchair.
But it’s not only people with reduced mobility who can benefit from a bungalow’s flexibility. The way bungalows are constructed, on larger plots than conventional houses, means an extension of the property can be relatively straightforward.
When it comes to remodelling the interior, there is much more scope for designing exactly what you want. For example, open plan living is possible in a bungalow due to the reduced number of supporting walls.
Loft conversions are also popular among bungalow owners. These effectively allow you to turn a bungalow into a two-storey property by extending upwards into the attic space.
When it comes to downsides, one of the biggest disadvantages of buying a bungalow is the lack of space compared to a two-storey property of a similar price; a bungalow will normally have fewer rooms than a conventional house.
Another consideration is the high cost to floor space ratio. In a bungalow the actual living space per sq ft of land owned is much lower than that for a two-storey property. And because of this bungalows are often seen as being bad value for money.
When deciding on whether to buy a bungalow you might also consider that buying one could get you the perfect location.
Posted: 9. December 2010 14:17