{
  "id": 886352,
  "title": "Location matters more than house size when buying property – Architect Birmeh",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/location-matters-more-than-house-size-when-buying-property-architect",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-14T15:56:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Joy Business",
    "slug": "joy-business",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/location-matters-more-than-house-size-when-buying-property-architect-birmeh/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Architect Akua Birmeh, founder and principal of Archxenus, has emphasized to prospective homeowners that location holds greater significance than the size or cost of a property when making a purchase or constructing a house. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, she cautioned that many Ghanaians prioritize constructing large homes while neglecting the daily challenges arising from living far from essential amenities such as workplaces, schools, markets, healthcare facilities, and convenience stores. Although owning a large home may seem appealing, Birmeh noted that a property situated far from frequently visited places can ultimately lead to a diminished quality of life.\n\nThe high cost of property in prime areas of Accra and other major cities has led many middle-income earners to settle in the outskirts, where land and houses might be more affordable. However, Birmeh cautioned that buyers must take into account the hidden costs associated with distance, including transportation fees, traffic congestion, lengthy commuting hours, and the time wasted traveling between home and other destinations. She advised prospective homeowners not to limit their search to traditional prime neighborhoods, but rather consider communities on the fringes of established areas, which can offer a better balance between affordability and convenience. These locations can enable residents to stay relatively close to important amenities without incurring the premium charged in the most expensive neighborhoods.\n\nBirmeh further highlighted that the choice of location should reflect an individual’s lifestyle and family needs. \"Where you locate the building is actually the value for you,\" she stated, stressing that people should carefully consider the kind of life they want before purchasing land or commencing construction. She also suggested that those unable to afford property in desirable locations independently could explore cooperative housing arrangements, where colleagues, friends, or individuals with similar incomes pool their resources to acquire land and construct homes. Birmeh advised that working with architects and other professionals could help such groups make efficient use of the available land while creating comfortable homes in suitable locations.",
  "summary": "Founder and Principal of Archxenus, Architect Akua Birmeh has urged prospective homeowners to make location a top priority when buying or building a house, arguing that the right location can have a greater impact on quality of life than the size or cost of a property.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}