Houses come in many shapes and sizes. And while some cannot imagine living somewhere else than Cape Cod homes, others enjoy staying in Mediterranian-style homes their whole lives. Of course, you also might have a favorite style of home. However, have you ever wondered if it is among the most popular ones?

Whether you are an experienced real estate agent or a first-time homeowner, knowing what types of homes people usually choose to live in can be beneficial. Below, you will find the most commonly seen styles of homes, including Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, ranch, and cottage. So, without further ado, here are some of the most popular architectural house styles you should know:

• Colonial-Style Homes

Those of you who have been around for a while might remember colonial-style homes from movies like The Sound of Music or The Waltons. These beautiful homes are often associated with a sense of nostalgia, so they are quite popular among buyers. Yet, this type of home is also exquisite and warm, which is why many people choose to live in them up to this day.

• Victorian-Style homes

These homes often have large porches and windows, with decorative details similar to those of old houses. However, unlike the other styles mentioned above, Victorian homes include numerous additions to previous versions, such as gables, towers, turrets, and bay windows, making these homes look very charming.

Nevertheless, it does not mean they are only for decorative purposes – for example, you can even find Victorian homes with garages disguised as decorative features. Keep in mind that a standard two car garage size is 24×24, so if you have two vehicles, make sure there is ample space to park both of your cars.

• Tudor-Style homes

Tudor-style houses feature large chimneys, steeply pitched roofs, half-timbering, and decorative woodwork. They are characterized by a sense of warmth that comes from the woodwork and brickwork outside the house. Tudor architecture was very popular in England during the Tudor reign but became even more popular in the United States later on as well.

• Cape Cod Homes

Another trendy and distinctive style of housing is cape cod-style homes. These homes are very narrow and are most often single-story with gabled or flat roofs. However, they also come with wrap-around porches and dormers on the sides and back. What makes these houses so popular is that they can be either very small or very large, depending on their location and purpose.

• Ranch Style Homes

Ranch houses are usually single-story rectangular buildings with low-pitched roofs and no basement. They were very popular in the 1940s when most Americans looked for simple houses on relatively flat lots. They can still be seen today in the suburbs all over America, even though they are starting to become less common than before.

Still, if you want a classic American house design that will probably be able to withstand bad weather conditions, then ranch houses are what you should be looking at.

• Cottage Style Homes

Cottages are usually small houses made for a single-family or couple that are very comfortable but not at all pretentious. They are usually one-story high with low-angled roofs and no basement or attic.

The most common feature of cottage-style homes is that they have front porches that extend across the whole length of the house and are usually supported by columns or pillars. Other standard features include gables and dormers on the side and back, as well as transoms over the windows and doors.

• Contemporary Homes

Contemporary homes are built in an innovative way without any particular traditional style in mind. These houses are usually boxy, with flat roofs that are rather unique compared to other architectural house styles. They also lack decorative extras such as porticos, columns, verandas, etc., which is why they are minimalist properties.

However, this does not mean that these houses do not have a character of their own! In fact, some exciting features can be seen in modern homes, especially when it comes to interior design and décor details.

• Split-Level Homes

Split-level homes are divided into sections that function as separate units with different purposes or activities taking place in each one of them. As a result, these houses can be pretty flexible when it comes to using certain areas of the building at different times of the day or during holidays when families need extra space for guests or relatives.

Split-level homes may feature two floors connected by a staircase with a landing in between where the upper floor is smaller than the bottom one. They can also be connected to a garage below or above them or have a lower level that functions as a basement with additional rooms or spaces in it. Split-level homes are known for their versatility and practicality, making them very popular among home buyers.

• End-Unit Townhouses

End-unit townhouses are located at the end of a row of houses and are usually larger than those that are not at the end. As a result, these houses can be more beneficial to families that want a bit more space but do not need a whole place at the moment.

However, these houses also come with some additional risks, such as less privacy and less security, because they are the first ones to be seen by anyone who comes to visit. These houses also tend to be cheaper than other similar houses, making them very attractive to home buyers who need more space but do not have enough money to buy anything else.

• Bi-Level Homes

Bi-level homes are split-level homes that have a second floor above the main floor. They can be accessed by stairs or a small elevator, but their second level is usually smaller than the one on the first floor. Bi-level houses are perfect for older people who want some extra space to move around but do not want to climb too many steps.

As a result, this type of house is also very attractive to families with small children who need some extra storage space. They are also very popular among first-time homebuyers who can afford to build only one level of their dream home for now. As bi-level homes are relatively common, it is easy to find a reliable real estate agent that will help you acquire one.

In Conclusion

Hopefully, the styles of homes mentioned above will help you find your desired house style faster. Whatever style you choose, you can be sure that it will add some character to your home and provide you with a unique way to express yourself.

If you are unsure which house style to choose, the best advice we can offer is to consult an experienced real estate agent. This person can help you find a house that suits your needs and preferences while also giving you some insight into negotiating with the seller.