When purchasing a home in a six-floor building, prioritize avoiding the first and fifth floors. The first floor often lacks privacy, faces noise from streets or parking areas, and may have lower resale value due to reduced demand. The fifth floor, while less commonly avoided, can suffer from elevator maintenance issues in older buildings and may receive less natural light if the building lacks windows on higher floors.

The first floor is frequently less desirable due to practical drawbacks. A 2018 National Association of Realtors study found that single-family homes on the first floor in suburban markets sold for 5-8% less than comparable homes on higher floors, attributed to perceived lack of space and security concerns. Additionally, first-floor units are more prone to flooding during heavy rains, as seen in a 2020 analysis of U.S. property claims, with 12% of claims linked to water damage in low-lying areas.

The fifth floor’s challenges stem from structural and logistical factors. In buildings with aging elevators, higher floors like the fifth may experience frequent breakdowns, increasing resident frustration and repair costs. A 2021 study by the Building Owners and Management Association noted that 30% of elevator-related complaints in multi-story buildings occurred on floors above the third, often due to wear and tear. Furthermore, fifth-floor units in older buildings may suffer from poor insulation, leading to higher heating and cooling expenses—data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows such units consume 15-20% more energy than those on lower floors. Avoiding these floors can mitigate financial and practical risks, ensuring long-term property value and comfort.