Is an Awkward Home Layout a Dealbreaker? Tips to Help You Decide

As a homebuyer, you’ve likely toured many homes and considered making many compromises to fit your budget, especially in a higher-cost-of-living area. You may have encountered some charming homes with quirky or downright strange layouts that significantly impact how you can use or decorate the space. Your first instinct may be to run away from these options, but they can work excellently for limited budgets with some creativity. Awkward floor plans won’t be for everyone, but with a little planning and research, you may find that the compromises aren’t as severe as you thought. Alternatively, you may come to realise that a home is simply too different from your lifestyle to work. How can you tell the difference?

Know What Your Lifestyle Needs

Everyone has different tastes and needs out of a home. If you work from home, you’ll likely want dedicated office space or a comfortable area to work in. If you have dogs, a wide open yard may be the most important feature. An awkward layout can be handled if you can see yourself living and growing there. It won’t be the best choice if it can’t fit your lifestyle. If you love to entertain but all of the rooms are cramped and closed off, it might not work unless you’re willing to make significant layout changes. You don’t want your life to become significantly difficult. No home is perfect, but you should be able to work with the space to make it your own.

List the Benefits and Compromises

You may be distracted by the cramped layout or enticing home price to see the whole picture. You can get a much better idea of whether a home meets your needs when you list all of the pros and cons. Write down everything you like about the house and how it meets your needs. Try to be as specific as possible. Next, write down everything you don’t like and will have to compromise on. Are the compromises major sacrifices? Are there enough pros to balance the cons? Are there ways to work around the negative aspects of the space?

Estimate Costs of Necessary Changes

Most homes will require some work to change their aesthetics and flow to suit your lifestyle and tastes. When you opt for a smaller or awkward layout, you might need to make more changes than the average homebuyer. How many changes can you afford? Include any furniture purchases you’ll need to make in the budget as well. If you’re already at the top of your budget, you may want to walk away. If you’ve got some wiggle room and you’re willing to get your hands dirty, you may find rearranging a home a fun and interesting challenge. Make a list of major changes you’d need right away, and consult with a contractor to get a basic estimate. If these figures are too much, it’s best to move on.

Take and Use Measurements

An empty room can look a lot different than when it’s filled with furniture. Pictures may even be less helpful, as angles and scale can look very different. It may seem like your furniture would fit in a room, but getting it in there without compromising flow and style is another story. Take measurements of your furniture and the space. Write them down. Take a tape measure and see how well your furniture would fit. Is there still a flow? Will you need to purchase different furniture? These factors will influence how well the space works for you. Be prepared to use less furniture, relocate it to other areas, or opt for smaller pieces to prioritize both flow and function.

Prepare to Get Creative

Strangely shaped rooms and cramped floor plans will require a different approach than most homes, especially modern ones. You’ll need to tap into some creativity to ensure the space looks good, is comfortable, and meets your needs effectively. It may not be immediately obvious where your entertainment system should be placed or how your couch should be arranged. You may have to sacrifice your coffee table entirely. You’ll need a keen eye for interior design to make some spaces work, so you may want to consult with a professional interior designer.

Think About Resale Value

How long will you be living in the home? Dealing with an awkward layout, especially if you won’t be there long enough to invest in upgrades, may not be worth it. These types of homes can be difficult to sell, especially at a fair price. If your time in the home will be limited, you’ll want to consider resale value as a key factor in your decision. Paying off a mortgage on a home you’re selling can be difficult if you can’t get a decent price for it. If you plan on staying in the home for the long haul, resale value won’t matter as much unless you’re worried about home equity loans or property taxes.

Consider the Cost of the Home

Any time you buy a home, the cost is arguably the most important factor. However, just how much the awkward layout you’re considering costs can help you decide if it’s worth it. If the quirky home gives you a significant discount, it may be more worthy of your consideration, especially if your budget is limited. 

You may be using certain types of mortgages where your location or options are more restricted. If your credit score is lower, FHA loans may not allow you to purchase a more expensive home. Self-employed individuals may be using bank statement loans, which can limit their budget flexibility. Some types, like Arnaiz Mortgage bank statement loans, will give you more freedom, but higher cost-of-living areas can still keep your options limited, depending on your income. That awkward floor plan may be an excellent upgrade compared to similar homes in your budget. 

You may want to skip the awkward floor plan if it’s more expensive than it’s worth, especially if it’s beyond your budget. You’ll likely need to make some upgrades, and you don’t want to be over budget before you can even get started.

Conclusion: Awkward Home Layout

Many older or smaller homes have some interesting layouts, ceiling heights, and room shapes that make designing and living in the space a challenge. While these homes can be charming and often less expensive, it may be not very comforting to decide whether you can make it work or if you should walk away instead. An informed choice is the best one; factor in the home’s cost, your budget, the cost of renovations, and the compromises you’ll have to make.