The most efficient use of space is a square. Rounded walls take too much work to get smooth and round. And squares fit together really well.

The most efficient lighting system is one light source, for example in the middle of a room.

The most efficient plumbing system would be one stack of pipes attached to the kitchen sink and dishwasher, all the bathrooms, even the hose spigot outside. The kitchen would back up to the half bath and the master bath, and the upstairs bath would align to the same wall -- so there's just one water supply, and one sewer pipe out.

The most efficient foundation is a square.

The most efficient cooling or heating design is a home with no windows.

And the most efficient yard is one with no grass, no mulch, no bushes.

Getting the point? While any great property is a wise mixture of both efficiency and luxury, savvy buyers and builders know how to get the right mix for the biggest bang for the buck and biggest effect on functional living and pleasure. There's a reason that more affordable production homes are square and luxurious huge custom homes have curves and multiple roof peaks and a huge complicated footprint.

Just be aware of why something is the way it is. If a house is a "cracker box" but has granite countertops and tile floors, is it worth the price? It might be. But it might not be. If a house has tons of floor-to-ceiling windows and 17 bathrooms and tons of recessed lights and lots of rotunda areas and rounded or jagged walls, is it worth it?

It might be.

But it might not be.

Would you know the difference?