What?s Your Style? A Guide to America?s Most Common Home Styles

Styles of houses vary across the country. From the New England Cape Cod to the Victorians of San Francisco, the choices are almost endless. Knowing which style you prefer is one of the basic elements in your hunt for the perfect home.

Following is a quick guide to help you recognize and use the professional terms for many of the most prevalent house styles:

• Ranch: these long, low houses rank among the most popular types in the country. The ranch, which developed from early homes in the West and Southwest, is one-story with a low pitched room. The raised ranch, which is also common is the U.S.. has two levels, each accessible from the home's entry foyer, which features staircases to both upper and lower levels.

• Cape Cod: this compact story-and-a-half house is small and symmetrical with a central entrance and a step, gable roof. Brick, wood or aluminum siding are the materials most commonly seen.

• Georgian: Popular in New England, the Georgian has a very formal appearance with two or three stories and classic lines. Usually built of red brick, the rectangular house has thin columns alongside the entry, and multi-paned windows above the door and throughout the house. Two large chimneys rise high above the roof at each end.

• Tudor: modeled after the English country cottage. Tudor styling features trademark dark-wood timbering set against light-colored stucco that highlights the top half of the house and frames the numerous windows. The bottom half of the house is often made of brick.

• Queen Anne/Victorian: Developed from styles originated in Great Britain, these homes are usually two-story frame with large rooms, high ceilings and porches along the front and sometimes sides of the house. Peaked roofs and ornamental wood trim, many times referred to as "gingerbread," decorate these elaborate homes.

• Pueblo/Santa Fe Style ? Popular in the Southwest, these homes are either frame or adobe brick with a stucco exterior. The flat roof has protruding, rounded beams called vigas. One or two story, the homes feature covered/enclosed patios and an abundance of tile.

• Dutch Colonial ? the Dutch Colonial has two or tow-and-one-half stories covered by a gambrel roof (having two lopes on each side, with the lower slope steeper than the upper, flatter slope) and eaves that flare outward. This style is traditionally make of brick or shingles.

• New England Colonial ? This two-and-one-half story early American style is box like with a gable roof. The traditional material is narrow clapboard siding and a shingle roof. The small-pane, double-hung windows usually have working wood shutters.

• Southern Colonial ?this large, two-to-three-story frame house is world famous for its large front columns and wide porches.

• Split-levels: Split-level houses have one living level about half a floor above the other living level. When this type of home is built on three different levels, it is called a tri-level.

These are just a few of the many styles of homes available across the country ? some are more prominent in different areas than others. Knowing home style terms will help you zero in on the type of house that will fill your needs and suit your taste.

About The Author

W. Troy Swezey is the author of "WHAT'S YOUR STYLE? A guide to America's Most common Home Styles." As a Realtor at Century 21 Paul & Associates, he has helped many individuals with their real estate needs. Visit his web site to download his free e-book, "REAL ESTATE SECRETS EXPOSED." http://www.TroyIsMyRealtor.com or mail to: TroyC21@usa.net

---

Refinance Rental Property - Dont Sell It

You own a rental property for years, and never see... Read More

Landlording And Other Aggravations

Here's the gripping story...You are the landlord of a small... Read More

3 Top Real Estate Investing Methods for Maximum Wealth

Real Estate investing can be used to gain wealth in... Read More

Before You Buy A House ? Top 10 Tips

There are serveral things you need to think about and... Read More

Home Buying ? School District Issues

A good school district is a key factor in home... Read More

Real Estate: Buyers Agent, Sellers Agent & Dual Agent (defined and explained)

There is a relatively new and not always well understood... Read More

What are the Elements in Real Estate?

Each element has a specific color associated with it. Because... Read More

Estate Agents on the Costa Blanca Spain

Properties for sale or to rent on the Costa BlancaAs... Read More

Location, Location, Location

Location, location, location - known as the 3 most important... Read More

The Key to Real Estate Investing Success Revealed!

How did you get into real estate investing? Did you... Read More

Investment Property - Leveraging Rental Property Equity

Owning investment property is a tremendous wealth building strategy. Thousands... Read More

Real Estate Development Marketing

A Specialist Article For Those Interested In Real Estate Development... Read More

How to Make the Real Estate Market Work For You and Get The Most Money

How to make the Real Estate market work for you... Read More

Buying Foreclosures - Knowing Why Helps You Buy

One big potential deal-killer in buying foreclosures is the homeowner.... Read More

If Your House Is a Mess, You Dont Have To Sell For Less

Don't be tempted by "We Buy Houses" or "Sell Your... Read More

Choosing a Realtor

Purchasing a property, either as an investor or as a... Read More

Purchasing Land: What To Look For

It doesn't take long to realize that finding the right... Read More

The Ultimate Short Sale Secret

Buying foreclosures can be extremely profitable for real estate investors.... Read More

Decorating to Sell a House by Meeting Three Key Needs

Specific marketing campaigns are no longer just for automobiles and... Read More

How to Use Color Psychology to Prepare Your Home for a Top-Dollar Sale (Part 1)

You've decided to prepare your home for sale. Whether you... Read More

Selling Your Home ? What Can Go Wrong With Title and Lenders

If you're selling your home, there are going to be... Read More

Real Estate Bankruptcy

Although real estate bankruptcy cases no longer dominate the bankruptcy... Read More

Where is Florida Investment Property

Florida Investment Property ? Why Investing is a Wise Decision... Read More

How to Create Cash Flow Out of Thin Air!

Want to see a trick every real estate investor will... Read More

Sell Your California Home For Top Dollar

HOW TO SELL YOUR HOME FOR TOP DOLLAR1. Make your... Read More

How to Prepare Yourself for Owning a Dual Purpose Second Home

If you are thinking about buying a second home, you... Read More

Buying Outer Banks (OBX) Investment Property

So, you're thinking of purchasing a rental property... Read More

Should Sellers Order a Pre-sale Home Inspection?

One of the main reasons home sale transactions fall apart... Read More

Sell Your Home Without Paying Any Commissions

All of us know that real estate commissions can work... Read More

Lock In Big Profits By Offering Rent To Own Deals

Why would anyone accept a lease option, rent to own... Read More

Investor Banned From Offering Property For Rent

Do you realize that you might be prevented from renting... Read More

Real Estate Financing - Ten Ways

Do you remember when real estate financing meant you saved... Read More

Flipping or Fixing Houses for Profit

Many real estate investors make $5,000 to $10,000 or more... Read More