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 What Style of Home Appeals to You? Most of you have done your homework and know exactly the style of house you'd like to buy. Surprisingly, though, I have a lot of buyers who really don't know the different styles that may be available to them. The amount you're able or want to spend for your first or next house will eliminate some neighborhoods you'd like to search in - I'll help you determine that also. Styles of homes available in our area include: Bungalows - There are a few different styles. This one looks like a 3-bedroom with an attached 1-car garage. There are usually 2 bedrooms down, 1 larger dormer-bedroom up, no dining room, but an eat-in kitchen. Bathrooms will range from 1.0 to 2.5. Some will have finished rec rooms, some will have first floor family room additions...some will have both. There's also a Master Bungalow - what's that? A variation on the Bungalow style is the Cape Cod. What's the difference? Call and ask me....  Colonials- Again, many variations, but basically a Colonial is a home with all bedrooms on the 2nd floor, and it is a true 2 to 3-story home, with higher ceiling height on the second floor than bungalows or capes. There are exceptions - on occasion, we'll run across a Colonial with a first floor bedroom. Those are actually more prevalent in newer homes which are sometimes called Transitional. The number of bedrooms can range from 2 to 8 or more, but for our purposes, let's assume 3-4 bedrooms, a living room (usually with fireplace), formal dining room, kitchen with breakfast nook or separate breakfast room, sometimes a den or family room on the first, and often a finished rec room. The garage can be attached or detached, 1-3 car and the yard, of course, will vary in size. Within a densely populated area, yard sizes will range from about 0.12 acres to one-half acre. Again, there are many variations of Colonials - such as Tudors, French Normandy, Georgian, Victorian, Front Porch, Center Hall, Dutch Colonial and...okay, I'm just showing off now!  Split Levels- What distinguishes Split Levels is the configuration of the stairs up or down, and generally, the lower level is considered above-grade. But wait, there's more! There are also 4-level Splits with a full or partial basement that is below grade. Those are not as common and when you find one in decent shape and affordable, grab it!...or at least consider grabbing it. Bi-Levelsare a variation of splits, with the main living area on the first level. The lower level is generally the family room, utility room, usually another bathroom, and access to the garage. Haven't seen a bi-level yet that didn't have an attached garage, but I suppose that's possible.  Ranches- My all-time favorite; and especially nice with a 1st floor laundry room! Yeah!!! But this is not about me - it's about your choice. Other benefits of ranches, besides one-floor living, is that the footprint is generally wider and larger than other styles. So the "full" basements tend to be much bigger. If your preference is to separate the common area living space from your bedrooms, then a ranch is not for you.  Contemporary- a la Frank Lloyd Wright, in some cases. Contemporaries can be found in all styles of homes. What differentiates them are clean linear and vertical lines, sometimes cantilevered or they can have soaring, angular roofs. Some can also be rather "boxy" with 3 to 4-or more levels. Generally, these homes have open concept interior layouts and the exterior will most often consist of clerestory windows (lots of glass), steel, concrete or more unconventional materials. Whatever style you choose, it has to "speak" to you and say "you're home"...usually the minute you walk through the door! |
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