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3 Common Changes In Single-Family Homes In Urban Neighborhoods

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With the passage of time, a lot of things have changed about how humans live and what they live in. This statement is especially true in urban areas were high populations are forcing people to see their neighborhoods a little more crowded than before. If you are planning to buy a single family home in an urban location, you may be a little surprised to see some of the ways things have changed with these properties when you start looking. There are a handful of common changed in single family homes in urban neighborhoods that you probably would not have found in the past. 

More single family homes have an integrated granny flat. 

To thwart the need for elderly relatives to have to move right into a nursing home when they hit a certain point in age, many homeowners are integrating what is known as a granny flat into their home. Even though this is still technically a single family unit, the home will have a specific area transformed to accommodate an older, single person. For example, some property owners will turn their garage into a small apartment for an elderly loved one. These homes are not ideal for every family, but they can definitely be advantageous if there's a chance an older relative will have to live with you at some point. 

More single family homes have privacy and security features. 

Of course, crime levels have evolved in a lot of urban areas and home security is more of a concern than ever, especially in densely populated locations where crime is naturally higher. Therefore, many single family homes are specifically built with modern privacy and security features. For example, you will be more likely to find a home that has:

  • a built-in security system
  • a privacy fence around the backyard
  • barred lower-story windows and doors

More single family homes are smaller in size. 

Because there is a need to pack more residences into one neighborhood with changing population numbers, a lot of urban homes are smaller than they once were. Finding houses that have more conservative floor plans with less dead space is pretty normal, as this allows more homes to be available in any given area. There is an advantage to the smaller floor plans with these single family units, which is typically a lower price range. Plus, most homeowners find that the smaller quarters help keep living expenses lower for the long term, and that can be important in urban locations where the demand for housing drives up the cost of living.   


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