The 6 Factors AffectingThe 6 Factors Affecting

Housing ChoicesHousing Choices

List the 6 factors affecting housing choices

Discuss why these factors are important

Evaluate how they affect a family when deciding on living space

The 6 FactorsLOCATION

CLIMATE

AVAILABILITY

COST

TASTE

LIFESTYLES

Location• The specific placement of a

home• Can range from urban to

suburban to rural• Can also be characterized as

seashore, mountain, desert, etc.

Location

Location• To take advantage of the

surroundings a house should reflect the character of the area

• (ex: a home in Florida should be different in its design and materials from one in Minnesota)(open books to page 14 & 15 – location)

CLIMATE• This is a major consideration in

housing choices• Climates can vary from warm to

cold, and from dry to humid• Some areas receive more sunshine

than others (the closer you are to the equator the more sun you will have year round)

CLIMATE• Cold Climates Need:

– Ample Insulation and a tight shell to keep the cold out!

– Glass should be limited. WHY?– Home should

provide a feeling of warmth and friendliness.

CLIMATE• Warm Climates Need:

– Thick masonry walls to shield from high day time temperatures & to release heat during cool nights.

– Wide overhanging to shield the walls from excessive light.

Availability• How many desirable homes in

a given area are available?• Growing/ Shifting populations

can cause changes in housing. • In some areas desirable

housing may be in short supply

Cost• Cost is a crucial factor in housing

choices for almost everyone.• Cost becomes increasingly

important as construction expenses rise.

• There is not only the initial cost of building a home, but the cost of repairs, taxes, and insurance.

Note: A rule to follow when looking for a home to purchase –you can afford a home 3x your income.

If you earn $33,000 a year, you can afford a home in the $90,000 $100,000 range

*But Be Careful! Always look at your budget!

Taste

This is the sense of what is fitting, harmonious or beautiful

Taste reveals much about the personality of an individual.

Taste changes as a person matures and has new experiences.

Taste

Another aspect of taste is FUNCTION.

A reading area should be designed to be beautiful, but comfortable and equipped with good lightings also.

LifestylesThis is related to the values, social

status and activities of the household members

When selecting a home, one needs to consider the lifestyles of all family members

A truly functional life space is a logical extension of the families lifestyle.

AssignmentConsider all the people living in your home, and those that visit on a regular basis.

List the individuals and the types of lifestyle patterns they participate in. Then describe the type of house you would need to accommodate everyone.

i.e. Father – watches a lot of old movies and sporting events

Mother – likes to hike, crafts, watch old movies

After listing everyone then describe the house you would need.