Whether you are looking for your first home, buying a rental property, or comparing homes in your area as part of your home selling process, the first thing you should do to narrow your search is figure out what type of home structure you are looking for.
1. Single-Family (Detached)
The key feature of a single-family home is that it’s completely detached from other housing units, unlike condos, apartments, or townhomes. The majority of homes in the United States are single-family homes. Single-family homes are usually more private and offer more options for personalization.
2. Townhome
Townhome is an individually owned dwelling that shares at least one wall with another unit and has its entrance from the street. They are most popular in big cities where space is limited. Townhomes typically make use of vertical space with multiple stories but save horizontal space by sitting side by side with other homes.
3. Colonial
Colonial homes share a lot of similarities with the Cape Cod style. They have a simple, rectangular, symmetrical structure that dates back to the 1600s. The colonial style has a variety of different influences, identified by the country that occupied the region at the time that they were built. These different types include English, French, Dutch, Spanish, and American.
4. Craftsman
The Craftsman style focuses on the value of handmade, well-constructed architecture. They feature beautiful hand-worked materials, exposed beams, low-pitched gable roofs, and tapered columns on their porches. Inside you may find custom elements like built-in bookshelves and a hand-laid fireplace.
5. Greek Revival
Greek Revival, an architectural style based on 5th-century-BC Greek temples, spread throughout Europe and the United States. These houses have large columns with Greek-style embellishments, white or subdued colors, and a grand front door and entrance.