What to know about North-, East-, West- and South-facing homes.
But what about the direction that a home faces?
This will impact the amount of sunlight that streams into a home throughout the day.
Credit:John Bessler
Which Direction Does My Home Face?
When identifying homes that face a particular direction,determine which direction the homes front door faces.
A North-facing home, for example, will feature a front door and entryway facing North.
There is no science that helps decide the direction a house faces, says Kenin.
Often the size and location of the lot are the deciding factors.
Or you could have a home with very few windows that instead receiveslight from skylights.
Which Direction Gets the Most Sun?
In general, natural sunlight is a big perk for buyersno matter its direction.
The sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
North-facing homes get gentle sun throughout the day, says agentRashi Malhotraof Coldwell Banker Warburg.
But does this really matter?
The orientation of a home can impactenergy efficiency.
As we all know, the sun is a great source of life, says Malhotra.
When your home faces East or West, you benefit from direct sunlight at different times of the day.
The morning sun is powerful and energetic, while the evening sun is gentle and soothing.
Energy Savings
Your homes direction can alsoaffect your heating and cooling bill.
Alternatively, lots of sunlight in the winter could make your home warmer naturally.
But in summer, the extra heat means we use more AC, leading to higher utility bills.
Of course, the direction that your home faces is only one factor in its energy efficiency.
The materials used to construct a home affect its energy efficiency.
Lighter wood or cladding products are used in hotter climate areas.
Other Factors to Consider
Where you livein the country can also have an impact.
South-facing is great forplacement of solar panels.
West-facing can give you the bright and hotter, late day sun.
Finally,sun damagecan wreak havoc on siding and window dressings over time.
Similarly, you’re free to look forsun-blocking curtainsthat wont fade.
Blackout curtains can also help if your bedroom receives a lot of light and it affects your sleep.
PIelko also points out that a view can be advantageous.
In Hawaii, for instance,homes with a viewof the ocean often sell for more.
They arent without their disadvantages, however.
Oceanfront homes, especially those with prevailing onshore winds, require considerable maintenance and upkeep, he says.
Everything corrodes and rustseven stainless steel.
Wood soaks up the salt air and becomes furry.
Windows are continuously coated with blurry sea salt moisture.
Meanwhile, theres nothing better than a sunny kitchen since homeowners spend so much time in this space.
Cultural beliefs also play a part when deciding on a home’s direction.
It’s a matter of personal preference, Malhotra says.
Each individual has different expectations for their home space.
BrokerTate Kellyof Coldwell Banker Warburg has worked with clients in search of homes that face certain directions.
When deciding on the direction of your home, it can also boil down to your likes and dislikes.
Or you might prefer a home with agarden that receives proper shadefrom the home.
