Do most people live in apartment buildings or in single family units? Does the location of the residence make a difference? urban vs. rural? city vs. suburban?
If the buildings are multi-storied, how do people get to the next floor? Are there elevators? How many floors do they service? What is the condition of the stairwells? Are they used for more than going up to the next floor? Is the roof accessible and utilized?
Look at the windows. Are they barred or open? Do people open their windows or do they keep them closed for the most part? Do the windows have any decoration, like curtains, window shades, flowerboxes or potted plants, etc.?
Is the dwelling surrounded by a gate? or can you walk right up to the front door? How does one announce one’s presence or ask for admission? Is there a knocker? a doorbell? or does one simply call out?
Where is the door located? on street level? at the top of the stairs? Is there more than one door into a home or apartment? If so, which is for family use, and which is for guests?
When you enter the house, what are your first impressions? Do you enter directly into the house? or into a courtyard? Does this depend on the type of dwelling?
Is there an open area the family uses? Where is it located? in the front or back of the house, in the center, on the roof? Is it cemented in? What does the family use the space for (work, storage, social time, drying clothes, other)? Is this a secure area or is it accessible to others? Is there a time of day when the area is more used than at others?