Answers (9)
Best Answer
- Jeanne Feenick, "TopNJAgent"
- Contributions:178
I think what you are describing as a Split Level Entrance is a Bi-Level and the Split Level Side is what I think of as a Split Level. There are many communities in New Jersey's Union, Morris and Somerset Counties that have these styles in abundance because they were popular when the communities were populated. Of these two I would rank the Split Level ahead of the Bi-Level in desirability.
And yes, the Colonial takes top billing, then the Ranch - because a Ranch can appeal to first time buyers and downsizers and those that need single level living. An advantage of a Ranch is that with modification it can transform into a Colonial.
And yes, the Colonial takes top billing, then the Ranch - because a Ranch can appeal to first time buyers and downsizers and those that need single level living. An advantage of a Ranch is that with modification it can transform into a Colonial.
- Jim Stevenson, "therealtorguy"
- Contributions:1474
In my area, (Michigan), colonials still seem to be most populat for families. A close second would be a ranch with first floor laundry, then a quad-level, tri-level and lastly a bi-level.
I prefer single levels... BUT I live in a tri-level now, and am moving to another tri-level... go figure! I guess I'll limp up and down stairs when my knees hurt. One of my big dogs is now 13, and sometimes I have to help her up the stairs...
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:26328
"Anything that has a flight of stairs can be a problem if you break a leg and need to go upstairs" -
Chair lifts are not that expensive, and are easy to install. They only need a 120 volt 15 amp outlet to charge the batteries. And since it is battery operated, you don't need to worry about power failures. You do need to make sure the stairway is wide enough though.
And if there is serious disability, there is always the possibility of retrofitting with an elevator. But one should look at those options up front, just like looking at where one would put in a ramp to a porch if it is a raised foundation.
Ramps inside for "split level" are usually not practical due to slope requirements.
Chair lifts are not that expensive, and are easy to install. They only need a 120 volt 15 amp outlet to charge the batteries. And since it is battery operated, you don't need to worry about power failures. You do need to make sure the stairway is wide enough though.
And if there is serious disability, there is always the possibility of retrofitting with an elevator. But one should look at those options up front, just like looking at where one would put in a ramp to a porch if it is a raised foundation.
Ramps inside for "split level" are usually not practical due to slope requirements.
- Dan, "the_country_hick"
- Contributions:4827
I want to walk up 3 to 6 steps and be in the main house. I do NOT want to walk up those 3 to 6 steps and then have to walk up (or down) another dozen or more steps to be in the house on a floor.
A raised ranch is immediately rejected as soon as I notice what it is. It does not allow for crutches, wheelchairs, or a limp. It is very unfriendly to senior citizens with any physical issues.
Anything that has a flight of stairs can be a problem if you break a leg and need to go upstairs. A colonial would not be my choice unless it truly offered single story living with bonus space upstairs.
To have a normal one story ranch on a daylight basement foundation is the best solution. You have easy main floor entry and a usable basement that is easy to get in and out of.
A raised ranch is immediately rejected as soon as I notice what it is. It does not allow for crutches, wheelchairs, or a limp. It is very unfriendly to senior citizens with any physical issues.
Anything that has a flight of stairs can be a problem if you break a leg and need to go upstairs. A colonial would not be my choice unless it truly offered single story living with bonus space upstairs.
To have a normal one story ranch on a daylight basement foundation is the best solution. You have easy main floor entry and a usable basement that is easy to get in and out of.
- Pasadenan
- Contributions:26328
I know of no-one that has done any kind of survey on such topics.
Perhaps an Architectural school would have some information on such things.
Obviously, it partially depends on region and ground slope.
One could get a rough idea of popularity by taking an inventory of each type in a region, which may be able to be assisted by a city building department or planning department. But popularity shifts over time, thus a survey of inventory will indicate more about the popularity at the time of construction rather than present.
And of course, price has a huge influence in people's preferences. Thus if the inventory is existing, prices will adjust to match the popularity to the inventory.
My preference, is two story on raised foundation. But that also happens to be the most common in my area, so I'm partially biased by familiarity, as most people are.
One should also be aware of disability and mobility issues, as most of us will eventually become disabled in some manor or other if we don't die first.
Perhaps an Architectural school would have some information on such things.
Obviously, it partially depends on region and ground slope.
One could get a rough idea of popularity by taking an inventory of each type in a region, which may be able to be assisted by a city building department or planning department. But popularity shifts over time, thus a survey of inventory will indicate more about the popularity at the time of construction rather than present.
And of course, price has a huge influence in people's preferences. Thus if the inventory is existing, prices will adjust to match the popularity to the inventory.
My preference, is two story on raised foundation. But that also happens to be the most common in my area, so I'm partially biased by familiarity, as most people are.
One should also be aware of disability and mobility issues, as most of us will eventually become disabled in some manor or other if we don't die first.
- wordsmth
- Contributions:394
Of the two "split levels" you listed, generally "split level side" will be more popular thatn "split level entrance." But, as already noted, that may vary geographically.
- B Mike West
- Contributions:311
When it comes to buying a home, I go with the style and floor plan that apeals to me (or should I say my wife!), and pay little attention to what is popular with the majority of homeowners. Of course, one can go off the deep end and select a home that is sooooo far out that it will not appeal to buyers when they try to sell it years down the road. So there is a danger of straying too far from the norm.
I also suspect that popular home styles are regonal. A spanish style home in New Mexico is going to be popular there but not so common in Boston.
Go with what you like!
I also suspect that popular home styles are regonal. A spanish style home in New Mexico is going to be popular there but not so common in Boston.
Go with what you like!
- sunnyview
- Contributions:26916
I prefer the one level ranch myself. Of the ones you listed, I would say my second choice would be the split level side and then the split level entrance. I have lived in them all, but other people may have different ideas.
The only good thing about the split level entrance is that you have to vacuum less often over all. Your stair carpet gets dirty faster, but the rest of the levels stay cleaner. Moving furniture is also easier in the stairways of a split level side in my experience.
I see no huge difference in value in my area between the three styles except that above ground square footage is sometimes valued higher overall so the one level ranch seem to do best on appraisals.
The only good thing about the split level entrance is that you have to vacuum less often over all. Your stair carpet gets dirty faster, but the rest of the levels stay cleaner. Moving furniture is also easier in the stairways of a split level side in my experience.
I see no huge difference in value in my area between the three styles except that above ground square footage is sometimes valued higher overall so the one level ranch seem to do best on appraisals.
Most popular style among ranch? Split level entrance, Split level side, Raised, normal
Split Level Side: "The front door opens directly into the main living area. Elsewhere in the room, a short flight of stairs leads down and a parallel short flight of stairs leads up"
I understand Colonial is the most popular or preferred type of home. I was told Ranch is next popular. However, my research pointed to various types of ranch style homes. Can someone tell me rank them in the order of their popularity among the major types I have identified?
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