Cookie Cutter Homes

[Sorcerer68]

They make me nauseous. This is one of the reasons living in Vegas did me in. In my area I can spend less on a house, get a nicer looking older one with some charm and character and be in a far more interesting neighborhood. Car based suburbs have tons of these which hold no appeal. Nothing to do, cookie-cutter homes, 1/3 of your waking life in your car commuting. No thanks.

[CHATTY CATHY]

Originally Posted by JanaD

I think the attraction is that they are new... new is better in many peoples minds. I like the older homes also. Not necessarily the older track homes but in the LA area there are a lot of communities that were all custom build. You bought your lot and got your own builder. I love those neighborhoods!

well, yeah, newer is also "not so much maintenance" for those who work work work to just afford the home in the first place . No time to "work" on the property.
We have developers who don't live in the community and are trying to force the cookie cutter look here and there. They buy up two lots together and build two identical homes.
LOL , Poor houses look so "self-conscious" and naked sitting there among the fabulous 50"s homes with their mature gardens and comfortable lived in look.

Not sure if it raises the value of the neighborhood or devalues our older home ?

[goodbyehollywood]

One advantage is that cookie cutter (HOA) communities force people to do what you'd think they do on their own-- keep their house looking presentable and not be an eyesore or nuisance. Dead grass, zip landscaping, peeling paint, broken windows, an old clunker propped up on cinder blocks in the front yard and cars and motorcycles parked all over the sidewalk works fine if all the neighbors do the same. But if they don't... So conformity has some advantages.

But older neighborhoods have a lot more character and soul. If all the houses are kept up, they're the best. But one bad apple can spoil the whole block for everybody.