The cost of the dwelling as a percentage of "disposable
income" or of disposible time.
The durability
of the dwelling: thatch 
versus stone 
....The choice of low density development
versus high density housing 
The cost of maintaining
liveable conditions, heating, cooling and services such as water
, electricity,
'connectivity' ( such phone and cable) and drainage.
The cycle cost of the dwelling:
disposability of its componants such as the choice of mud vs concrete,
wood vs plastic
The impact of the environment on dwellings
and vice versa: erosion, sewage disposal problems etc. 
This quote out of the Bible is instructive:
(Mat 7:24-27) "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,
and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house
upon a rock: -25. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded
upon a rock. -26. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built
his house upon the sand: -27. And the rain descended, and the floods came,
and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was
the fall of it."