The Real Deal

The look of a home dictated by its style

By Jean Newton

Each home has a style all its own, but actually most homes fit into general architectural design categories. Before one starts to look for a home, it's helpful to know something about these categories.

Property listings usually specify the architectural design of homes. Learning a little bit more about these styles helps buyers to better identify what they like and don't like as they search for the perfect home. In general, the different styles can give buyers a sense of what the interior will look like before walking in the door.

Colonial: This style comes in many varieties including, American, Cape Cod, Georgian, Dutch, English and Adams. Generally, this style is characterized by a two-story rectangular form with a central front door, often accompanied by a small roof or pillars and a symmetrical arrangement of windows. Inside, there is a center hall, with living and dining rooms on either side. The kitchen will be at the back. In Colonials built before 1960, there will be at least one fireplace, hardwood floors and fine staircases.

Rambler or Ranch-style: This one-story suburban house was especially popular in the 1940s and 1950s. It included hardwood floors (usually maple) when originally constructed, but many have since been carpeted throughout, including the kitchen. Inside, the entry may be straight into the living room, which may include a dining area off a small kitchen. The earliest ramblers had a breezeway to the garage, but later models included attached garages. Some are built on a slope with a basement and lots of windows exposed in the back.

Victorian: This style goes back to the late 1800s and features towers, irregular shapes and plenty of corners. Gingerbread woodwork may decorate the gable ends

and porches. Victorian houses vary in style from simple to heavy Romanesque to Gothic to Queen Anne. Many Victorian homes are found in central cities, but some modern versions are found in newer suburbs as well. Inside, there are often oddly shaped bedrooms, staircases in rounded turrets, very high ceilings, detailed woodwork, a fireplace, hardwood floors and tall, narrow windows.

Tudor: Steep roofs, gables adorned with heavy timbers and a front door surrounded with stone or brick arches are features found in this two-story, usually stucco house. All Tudors have fireplaces, which are as distinguished on the outside as on the inside. Inside, older Tudors have high ceilings, hardwood floors, built-in bookcases and buffets, large formal dining and living rooms, and three or four bedrooms on the second floor. New Tudors also have large kitchens and first-floor family rooms.

These are just a few of the many architectural styles found among the 60 million or so houses in this country. Newer homes many not fit into any one of these styles but may be a combination of several types. Knowing the style of a home can help narrow down the choices in selecting a house that best fits your lifestyle.

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Information provided in this column is presented by the Realtor members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. Send questions on any topic to: Real Deal, c/o SILVAR, ppompei@siliconvalley-realtors.org.

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