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Besides, one person’s drawback can be another person’s advantage or non-issue. You might find it easy to put up with an element that someone else considers a dealbreaker. If the exterior siding material, roof, or other architectural details cater to a particular style, you can choose to replicate that inside. Finishes on the cabinets, floor finishes, and other details inside the home may also affect the decor on the interior. Therefore, they have less curb appeal than other style homes.
The lower level may need to be depressed into the ground to get enough headroom height to be usable. Pittsburgh ranch style homes have finished basements that can act as an additional floor and are perfect for your home gym, theater room, or just extra living space. There are a few disadvantages to owning a ranch house that aren’t ideal for everyone. When a home is built with one story, it becomes more difficult to heat and cool. Contact a local home builder to discuss your requirements and see what designs he/she can provide.
How do I add architectural details to my home interior?
Raised ranch homes also were usually constructed from medium to low-quality materials at the time for competitive prices. Sometimes a lot makes it beneficial to put bedrooms on the lower level and have the living area on top. When you have a rancher, it’s much easier to knock down walls and add on extensions because there’s much less weight to consider. Consequently, it’s easier to create open concept living areas. It’s easier to get a lower appraised value for your home if it’s older. Because newer homes have been built with more up-to-date building codes in the last few decades, there are few problems with them.

Same thing goes with washing a house, cleaning windows and performing any roof maintenance. Yes, these days expensive beam-work can replace a load-bearing wall, but it’s expensive. At Costa Homebuilders, we’ll work with you to make your dream become a reality. We’ve been building homes in Pittsburgh for four generations, so our team has the experience to get the job done right. Exterior Design – Building a ranch limits a more aesthetic exterior compared to a 1.5 story home. Land is one of the most important factors in determining a property’s value.
What to know about houses built in 1970s?
With a rancher, delivering completed laundry is easier (unless it’s a 20,000 square foot home and the laundry room is far from the bedrooms). Ranch homes often have an open concept floor plan that combines the kitchen, living room, and dining room. You’ll love this the next time you’re entertaining guests.

That means these homes are typically older than other styles on the market. Stairs can be beautiful and add an aesthetic element to a home. This advantage may be a stretch and you might thinking it’s nonsense, but there are home designs where the stairs look amazing. The average home size is much larger today than it was 50 years ago. The 1950’s bungalow is tiny compared to homes in newer suburbs.
More square footage with smaller footprint (i.e. smaller lot)
It would cost $1,700 to build a 1,700-square-foot building. A ranch house’s price may not vary drastically depending on the number of stories it contains, but two-story stick-built homes can be a little less expensive. When designing a ranch style home, you’ll need a lot of square footage to fit the final design onto the property. You can not only go up, but you can also go down on two-story homes. Because a one-story home requires more space to build, you will have less outdoor space once it is finished. Since they usually have 1.5 stories, Cape Cods have some benefits of both single and multi-level homes.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, 64% of buyers prefer a single-story home. These dwellings provide energy efficiency as well as convenience for older residents and those who need wheelchair access. They also have some of the best structures for open-concept layouts. Therefore, one half of the home is two stories, while the other half is a single story.
The style may vary depending on the owner or developer’s preferences. These homes were most popular between the 50s and the 70s. According to predictions, there will be a continued shortage of housing in 2022.
When you only have one story, you don’t have to worry about bearing walls and support walls. This makes it easier to customize and make alterations during the design phase, such as incorporating more open spaces and custom window changes. However, some of the largest impacts on a raised ranch home’s value are the location and condition of the home. Upgrade finishes or appliances; a landscape can increase the home’s value.
Just because a type of house is the current hotness doesn’t mean it will be the best match or return the best resale value. Most home buyers, 64%, would prefer to buy a ranch-style home. Today, you can find or build a ranch home in almost size and style.
Because ranch style homes are designed with an outdoor space in mind, they can often be quite large. Because of the large amount of space they provide, these units are ideal for families who need more than a small amount of space. A ranch-style home is the ideal choice for homeowners who want to live in a comfortable and stylish home.
Cape Cods are most commonly found in Massachusetts and other parts of New England, according to Homes & Gardens, but can now be found in any region of the U.S. A split-level ranch house, on the other hand, is a one-story ranch house with two additional levels added to it. Typically, a half-flight of stairs leads up from the entry to the living room, kitchen and bedrooms. Most ranch houses that come with the same square footage of a two-story house will need to be very wide. Whether your focus is the practical or the beautiful, ranch style homes are made to be forever homes. They're functional, easy to maintain and easy for most homeowners to personalize.
Some houses may only have one bathroom, while others may have two, depending on their size. You will have to pay different construction costs if you build a ranch house using only natural materials. Each of these building types is available in a variety of sizes and styles, including modular homes.
Though ranches will typically cost more per square foot in the same area, it may be easier to find affordable ranch homes because of their location. After WWII, raised ranch homes were popular among the booming market of home buyers. However, since homeowners are met with stairs as soon as they enter the house, they face a choice, figuratively and literally.

Because typical homes can frequently be less expensive than standard homes, consider the property’s unique features before making an offer. John Travis is the founder and owner of the popular blog "Denver Remodel Group". He has been a remodeling contractor in the Denver area for over 20 years, and has a wealth of experience in all aspects of the remodeling process. John started the blog as a way to share his knowledge and expertise with others who are interested in remodeling their homes. Ranch-style homes boast a layout conducive to integration with the outdoors, too. Since they are built on slabs and often have expansive windows, the nearly unparalleled views of nature foster a sense of harmony with the elements.