We’ve all seen that dystopian nightmare of suburbia. All houses look the same; you go down a street, and there’s no personality. The streets become a maze because they all look the same; you don’t even know which direction you should go. Oh yes, the cookie-cutter house. It’s simplistic and usually somewhat affordable, but are they worth it?
This concept is getting bigger; more neighborhoods are being built, and just the same style of home keeps creeping up. In a way, there is the allure of a cookie-cutter house; to a degree, they may seem tempting at first glance – a predictable design, standard features, and a sense of uniformity. But they might not be worth it; sometimes, you’re better off buying an old house with character or just any house that has character.
But why exactly? What’s actually so bad about a cookie-cutter home? Why could they even be seen as a bad investment when they’re popping up now more than ever? Well, here’s exactly what you need to know.
There’s No Personalisation
One of the most glaring drawbacks of cookie-cutter houses is the lack of personalisation. These homes often adhere to a generic blueprint with limited options for customisation. Your living space should reflect your personality, lifestyle, and unique preferences. Sure, to a degree, the interior gets to be, but not the exterior.
Also, for most of these cookie-cutter neighborhoods, there’s usually some sort of HOA, and that usually means that you’re limited in how you can customise the house. This means that you might buy a house, and you’re not even allowed to paint it, add new siding, hire a top architect to change things up, or even change the windows. You’ll have no authority to do any of that most of the time. How dystopian is that?
Can you imagine owning something and not even being allowed to change it? So, with that said, just choosing a cookie-cutter design may leave you feeling confined and unable to express your individuality through your living environment.
There’s a Lot of Monotony
Have you ever walked into a neighbourhood and was basically swooning over it? The gardens were gorgeous, each house had something unique to it, the front doors are decorated, and it all just feels so comforting. There are neighbourhoods like that, but those cookie-cutter stress are not going to give you that feeling. In a way, they’re good at zapping all of the feelings out of you.
Just think about it: cookie-cutter neighbourhoods often feature rows of homes with strikingly similar facades. Everything is the same, and it’s boring. This monotony can lead to a lack of character and curb appeal, making it challenging for your home to stand out in a sea of similar structures. A unique and aesthetically pleasing exterior not only enhances your own enjoyment but also contributes to the overall appeal of the neighborhood.
It Can Be Hard to Resale
When it comes time to sell, a cookie-cutter house may face challenges in the real estate market. While yes there are great quantities of them- but that’s actually the issue itself. The uniformity of these homes can make it challenging to stand out among a sea of similar listings. If you’re selling, and the person a few streets away is selling theirs, well, both houses look alike. What’s so special about them? With that said, a unique and well-designed home tends to have broader appeal and may command higher resale values.
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