| The latest buzz in home building surrounds | | | | appearance. These new improvements not only |
| monolithic dome homes. These odd looking | | | | help to make dome homes more palatable to |
| properties are strong enough to survive most | | | | home buyers, but to neighbors as well. |
| natural disasters, including hurricanes and | | | | |
| earthquakes, and they're also resistant to | | | | Why should you care what your neighbors think |
| destructive bugs like termites. These homes | | | | of your house? Because if they believe that |
| are also extremely energy efficient. Dome | | | | your home's odd appearance will bring down |
| homes can even be built for roughly the same | | | | property values of the entire neighborhood, |
| cost as a traditional stick-built home. The | | | | they may be able to stop you from building |
| perfect home? Quite possibly. The downside? | | | | your home. |
| The very uniqueness of the dome home is also | | | | |
| its greatest weakness. Dome homes may be | | | | Home Owners Associations are known for their |
| close to being the ideal structure, but until | | | | strict rules regarding the size and |
| neighbors, buyers, and mortgage companies can | | | | appearance of homes in the area. Dome homes |
| accept them, they will remain on the fringe | | | | are so foreign, that it will be difficult to |
| of the real estate market for years to come. | | | | get a green light on your dome home project. |
| | | | Talk with your neighbors about your plans, |
| Why aren't monolithic dome homes more common? | | | | and bring plenty of photos to introduce them |
| They really should be, considering the fact | | | | to the wide variety of dome home designs |
| that they are so good for the environment in | | | | available. Once they see the aesthetic |
| addition to being able to withstand some of | | | | possibilities and learn about the amazing |
| the planet's most violent weather systems. | | | | benefits these homes have to offer, they may |
| Dome homes are so vastly different in | | | | be more inclined to approve of your plans. |
| appearance to traditional homes, that it can | | | | |
| be difficult for people to see their beauty. | | | | Another hurdle is with the mortgage company, |
| Dome homes look like something out of a | | | | building inspector, and builder. Builders |
| science fiction movie, which is something | | | | need to know how to deal with a dome home's |
| that most home buyers find hard to swallow. | | | | unique design and inherent challenges. Not |
| | | | just anyone can work with these homes. You |
| So far, most of the people that invest in | | | | need to hire someone who has the training and |
| dome homes are looking for something | | | | skill to work on your home. |
| different. They want a house that's more | | | | |
| eco-friendly, and unique looking. | | | | Most home inspectors have never seen a dome |
| | | | home in person, and therefore have a great |
| Mainstream homeowners on the other hand, | | | | deal of difficulty assessing values, and |
| want to blend in with their surroundings, to | | | | finding potential problems. They simply don't |
| have a home that reminds them of the one they | | | | know what to look for, since these homes are |
| themselves grew up in. Most owners are more | | | | so different from stick-built homes. |
| concerned with their day to day living, | | | | |
| rather than carbon footprints and global | | | | Mortgage companies are often reluctant to |
| warming. But, as the planet continues to feel | | | | offer financing for dome homes because they |
| the effects of our modern civilization, | | | | are so difficult to assess in terms of value. |
| weather systems will continue to rage out of | | | | Will anyone want to buy your home when you |
| control. More hurricanes and tornadoes will | | | | move out? Mortgage companies aren't so sure, |
| continue to slam into the country, thus | | | | so they are hard-pressed to approve your home |
| creating a greater need for stronger homes. | | | | loan. |
| By choosing a dome home, you're doing | | | | |
| something positive for the environment, and | | | | While there are challenges involved in |
| also creating a safe haven for your family. | | | | building a dome home, it is worth it. These |
| These homes may be the best choice all | | | | homes are eco-friendly, will lower your |
| around, if you can get over their distinctive | | | | energy bills, and keep your family safe |
| looks. | | | | during most storms and earthquakes. The more |
| | | | information that people have about this |
| Fortunately, builders and architects are | | | | revolutionary new type of home, the easier it |
| creating more attractive dome home designs. | | | | will be to obtain financing, and up their |
| There have even been dome homes built with | | | | resell values. Bring home the dome, and bring |
| straight walls on the exterior of the home, | | | | home the future. |
| thereby creating a more traditional | | | | |