Gary Woltal's Blog

Gary, I never seen this type of architecture before. Its definately interesting. Looks kinda space age.

It's very niche-centric, but I personally love it.

Gary ~ I wonder what the inside looks like!  I'm going to check out the link you put in, maybe they will have pictures. 

Gary, I love the home as well, it's really unique...I'm going to see if there are pictures inside as well, that's intriguing me!

That is very interesting to say the least not sure if I like it or I don't gonna have to check out the link.

Jill: I had seen this design a number of years ago at the State Fair and knew one of these homes built out in the country. By being such a niche that's why I wondered how hard it might be to sell one day.

Audrey: You would be the only one in the neighborhood with this architecture.

Kathry and Carole: The web site does show the interior which looks normal other than the curved roof.

Linda: It probably would take some getting used to.

Gary,

That is so weird! I was just looking at this type of property near me! Check out this link: http://www.bigbeardomehome.com/html/bigbear.htm

Holly Galligan, Realtor ~ Lake Arrowhead, CA

Holly: I guess these Dome Homes are everywhere. I looked at the slide show on your link and its interior was very beautiful. I just wish someone who owned one could tell us if they are easy to sell or maybe not.

Gary,  It would surely take a unique buyer, but so do most custom homes.  I happen to like it.  I'm sure the interior is awesome.

Marc: Maybe I also need to sample custom home owners that have "exotic" taste of any kind and see if their special interests found interest among the next buyer, OR, it was a turnoff. Most good Stagers will tell you that you have to tone down many homes. With the exterior shaped like a dome you are very much advertising that you are different, if even in a good way. The savings on the energy bills is a plus.

Many lenders won't lend on "unique" properties (i.e. dome homes, log homes, etc) for a number of reasons, the main one being the difficulty in getting comps. That said I have seen a program on the discovery channel on dome homes and find them fascinating. There are the obvious benefits of energy efficiency and durability. Here is a videofrom Monolithic Dome Homes, BTW they come up first on a google search of "dome homes."

I am wondering if it looks like a half buried golf ball from the back.  Could be a future golf community in the making. It would certainly catch my eye!

I guess it's all a matter of taste! I have a feeling the resale would be difficult.

To sell unique buildings require unique buyers. Most buyers have very conventional ideas when it comes to the imagine their dream home.

Rich: Great video on the subject. More than you would imagine. Especially protection against fire.

Karen: That's the ticket. Put the domes in a golf community. Very clever.

Joan: That is my theory too.

Rosario: I like you phrased it that the "majority" have more conventional ideas.

I can see it now "Not your Average Cookie Cutter Home"  ....  Wonder about the inside? Studio 'ish ? hmmm

Very different!  I wonder what the inside is like.  It would be interesting putting Christmas lights on that home, ha!

I think it's cool - very futureistic looking! I'm more of a traditional girl myself but this one gives me the feeling that maybe I should be open minded. Thanks for sharing Gary!  

Gary, when we lived in Colorado they had lots of this kind of stuff and I heard that the re-sale was not good.  I talked a client out of buying one years ago for just that reason.  Most of our HOA's would not allow them around here.  There is one subdivision that I know that has them but it has EVERYTHING!! 

Kim: The insides are quite beautiful. You just have to get used to the curved ceiling.

Patricia: Now Christmas lights, that would certainly look different.

Carol: We get stuck in our conventional thoughts don't we? Eskimos might think these resemble igloos.

Marchel: Re-sale problems is what I heard too. Kind of cool for buyer #1, but how hard is it to find buyer #2? I agree that most HOA's would think you were a radical if this is what you planned on the lot you purchased.

Gary, that is a great picture, makes you wonder how they did the floor plan on the inside, must be very creative.

Marey: The floor plans do come out rather traditional other than your walls are curved of course.

That's cool.  But not sure my HOA would go for it!  Where the heck is it?  I wanna see!

Cindy: I don't know where this specific Dome Home is but I understand they are all over the country.

I agree with the others... I'd love to know what the insides are like, because the interior is make or break.

What could an appraiser compare it too? I am assuming there is nothing else like it in the area and even if there was, how often do they sell? I think this would have to be a specialty property and pretty much cash only.

Chuck: On the web site they showed some example interiors which looked pretty good.

Todd: Appraisal could be tough with a one of a kind property.

Gary,

Saw your post over on Terry Westbrook's blog, and just had to come see for myself!  This is pretty unique!

Mike in Tucson

It is different but in the right location there appears to be some benefit to this type of construction.

Mike: The dome house is quite different I admit.

Scott: The protection from high winds is one of its great strengths.

We own one in Wisconsin and it is amazing! Very low heat bills and we added huge windows that give a panoramic view of a Class A trout stream. It's built into a hillside so is like living in the trees. One of a kind, yes, but just gorgeous. We rent it out and live in Virginia, but hope to return some day.