Types of Homes in Warren
County, NJ
If you're new to the real estate buying
game, you may be unfamiliar with the different types of houses
that are available. Yes, many home owners customize the look
of their homes by adding details like room additions, decks,
sun porches, garages, extra floors, shingles, shutters, picture
windows and so forth. But when it comes down to it, there
are basically six major styles of home frequently spotted
around the Warren County, NJ area. Get a feel for which styles
feel most like home to you!
Bi-Level.
Also referred to as a bi-level raised ranch,
these are multi-floor homes that usually consist of three
floors separated by short stairways. The kitchen and dining
area are located on the main floor, with the bedrooms on the
second. A full-finished basement acts as the family room and
may provide additional storage.
Cape Cod.
The cape cod was the first style of home
to be built by early American settlers and goes back as far
as the 1600s. As one would expect, it was first seen in Cape
Cod, Massachusetts. Small and sturdy with steep, sloped roofs,
they were originally designed after English cottages and were
built to resist the elements. Some call the cape the "original
starter home." Cape cods have the kitchen, family room
and bedrooms all on the first floor, with a loft up above
for storage or an extra bedroom.
Colonial.
The colonial (or colonial revival home)
dates back to historical New England. The traditional style
has been modernized to fit today's lifestyle, but the layout
of the home remains the same. It is a rectangular, 2-floor
symmetrical home with bedrooms upstairs and the kitchen, dining
room and sitting room downstairs. Colonial homes generally
feature double-hung windows with many small, equally-sized
panes. Today's colonials often have the garage situated off
to the side with a family room behind it. They frequently
showcase a front porch with stately columns.
Ranch.
This type of home is sometimes referred
to as the California Ranch for the state where it emerged
in the 1930s. The ranch became popular in the 1950s and '60s
when mobile home owners discovered they could upgrade to bigger
homes on more spacious lots. Ranches are characterized by
one story and the pitched roof construction, a picture window
in front, and a sliding door that leads to a deck or patio
out back. Ranch homes can be seen with wood or brick exteriors
and many feature a one-car garage.
Raised Ranch.
The raised ranch is very much like the traditional
ranch, but with a room or rooms in the basement that span
the total space. This effectively doubles the size of the
home. Many raised ranches also offer a garage which is accessible
via the basement level of the home.
Victorian.
These are large, ornate homes that were
popular during the second half of the 19th century when America
was exploring new approaches to building and design. Technological
advancements at that time meant that builders could incorporate
brackets, spindles, and patterned shingles into the homes.
The first true Victorians appeared in the early 1900s and
are on display in Warren County, particularly the town of
Belvidere, where a townwide celebration called Victorian Days
is held annually.
Each time you go to the house listings online
or those provided by your realtor, take note of the "type"
of home it's listed as, and you will have a fairly good idea
of what the home will look like. Of course keep in mind that
with any modifications the owner may have made, it may be
worth taking a look at. Because after all... this might just
be the home of your dreams!
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NJ?
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Rich to schedule an appointment to discuss your home buying
needs and explore the area.
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