This historic home style still commands top dollar.
Discover its pros, cons, and who it’s best suited for.
You dont have to live on a farm to own one, but what is a ranch-style house exactly?
Credit: Edmund Barr Photography
Thishome stylerefers to the layout rather than the location.
This style of home became an affordable option for many middle-class families.
If youre open to buying a ranch-style home, heres what you’re gonna wanna know.
Credit: EMR Photography
What is a Ranch-Style House?
A ranch-style home is first and foremost defined by the fact that it is a single-story home.
These homes sometimes have basements, but a basement is not a requirement to be considered a ranch.
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They dont always have attics, either, because many ranch homes have low-pitched roofs.
While they might not have storage in an attic, these homes often boast an attached garage.
Usually, the kitchen is toward one side, while the bedrooms are toward the other side.
Credit: Alise O’Brien Photography
Ranches tend to be very utilitarian in nature, Colberg says.
From that point of view, from a use perspective, the public areas are one big open space.
They have a straightforward and practical design with anemphasis on indoor-outdoor living, she says.
Credit: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn
Single-story houses are prone to heat loss.
Boostenergy efficiencywith proper insulation andenergy-efficient windows.
This makes it easier to move around the house and is great for those with mobility issues.
Maximize storage in a ranch-style home withbuilt-in shelvesand multifunctional furniture to make up for the lack of a basement.
The absence of a staircase allows for larger and more open living spaces, simplifying cleaning and maintenance tasks.
Space Constraints
Ranch-style homes also have a layout that modern-day buyers might not be interested in.
The primary drawback, though, could be the lack of overall space.
Because of the homes open layout, privacy might be difficult to find.
Limited Outdoor Space
Lasater also says that larger ranch homes might have unique problems.
The sprawling layout can create delays in hot water delivery and increase air loss into attics.
Ranch homes may also require more land, resulting in a smaller yard that offers less privacy.
As you await a buyer, keep all these factors in mind.
Focus on ways todecorate the entry and path to it.
The term rambler is used interchangeably with ranch for a single-story home without a basement.
