Common Home Styles

Are you in the process of buying a home and don’t know your cape cods from your colonials? You can brush up on your residential architecture with our home buyer quick guide to common home styles. Covers the most popular styles of homes in North America, including why some people prefer certain layouts.

    Ranch

This style of house features one-level living. There may be a full or partial basement. Generally, a garage is attached to the side of the house.

 Split Level

 This style of house became very popular following World War II because of the amount of space and utility provided. Split    levels fall into two types: side-to-side and front-to-back.

 Colonial

This style of two-story house has been a mainstay of residential architecture for many years. These are generally well-built houses, with many being custom built. Their main appeal seems to be the spaciousness and elegance.

    Cape Cod

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 This very practical one and one-half story style of house has been popular for many years, with most capes concentrated in the northern regions. Many resale capes have been expanded over the years for increased living area.

    Contemporary

These “casual” houses are usually sheathed in redwood or stained hardwood and come in many sizes and shapes.

     Bi-Level

This style of house is also referred to as a split ranch. The bi-level house is a modified version of the ranch house, with the major difference being that the lower level is more out of the ground than in the ground. Seldom is there a basement.

   Victorian

The Victorian style of house was built in various models during the turn of the last century. Home buyers appreciate the architectural nuances of Victorian houses including large porches and interesting bay windows.

     Townhouse

This style of house takes its name from the type of house which dominated the early residential development of our early cities, notably the row houses.

       Tudor

Tudors and other English style houses were built during the period of the late 1800s through the 1920s. The combination of stucco and distinctive wood trim exterior provides the Tudor style house with a uniqueness which is most appealing.