When you’re choosing the right kind of house for your needs, you’ll want to consider whether you or anyone in your family has trouble with stairs and may need a house that’s all on one level. Two-story homes can have a great look and a whole lot of style, but they can also be hard to negotiate. If anyone is a fall risk, or if you have small children, it may be your best choice to get a ranch house. So, what is a ranch house, anyway? It’s the term used for a house that’s single story, or all on one level. You may have a few steps at the front door or down into the garage, but all the interior living space will be flat and level.
Do you actually need to live on a ranch?
You don’t need to live on a ranch to have a ranch house. While they’re popular with rural communities and ranchers, they’re also seen in suburban and even in urban areas throughout the country. Many people like the convenience they provide, since you don’t have to carry your laundry upstairs or negotiate a bunch of steps just to clean the house or put things away. As people age they may also want a ranch house, because they may not feel safe and comfortable going up and down steps anymore. No matter where you live, you may be able to find a great ranch house for your needs.
Are there other terms for this kind of house?
When you’re involved in the purchase of a home you want to understand the terms you’re agreeing to, and what you’re really getting. You may hear your ranch house referred to as a single level or single story house, as opposed to two-story or split level homes. Some people also call ranch houses traditional houses or standard houses, but those aren’t really common or accurate terms. If you’re looking for a house that doesn’t have stairs, you’ll want a ranch house no matter what else it may be called.
What parts of the country offer ranch houses?
As you go about buying a house you may have to stay close to your local area. You could also have the option to move somewhere else. Fortunately, almost all parts of the country offer ranch houses. In some areas these kinds of houses are easier to find than others. If you move to a very urban, big city area you may need to head to that city’s suburbs to have much luck finding a ranch house you like. Most inner city areas are made up of apartment buildings and townhouses or row houses. There aren’t any specific areas of the country that don’t have any ranch houses, though, so you can relocate to an area you like.
Are these kinds of houses bigger than others?
Some view ranch houses as “sprawling,” mostly because they spread out instead of being built up in stories. There are both big and small ranch houses, and you can find one that’s just a few hundred square feet or one that offers you thousands of square feet of living space. That’s all up to you, your budget, what you like, and what’s available in the area you’re living in or moving too. Ranch houses can feel very big because of everything being on one floor, and that can give the impression of space even in a smaller house that would feel tiny if it’s two story.
Would it be better to build your own?
Ranch houses are often popular because they can be big and sprawling without the need for anyone to go up or down stairs to use any of the rooms. Some people even like to build their own so they can get just what they want. Buying an existing ranch house is a good way to go, though, because there are so many homes available. Inventory isn’t high in all parts of the country, but it’s adequate in the vast majority of communities, and there are always houses on the market for you to consider. You may be able to get a much better deal on an existing home than you would if you built one from scratch.
How much will you have to pay for your ranch house?
Your ranch house may cost a few thousand or hundreds of thousands, depending on a lot of different factors. Its age, how much work it needs, its size, and its location all matter. If you buy a fixer-upper in a low cost area of the country you can get a lot of house for your money, but there will be plenty of work to be done to it. Buying a newer house in a more popular area will mean spending more, but you will have more chance of just being able to move right in.
What kinds of changes can you make to the home?
You can make just about any changes you want to the home, as long as you have the space and the budget. The one thing you can’t change is your location, so make sure you choose a place you really like. Then you can add on, remove walls, and do all sorts of renovations if you want to. Because it’s only a single story, it’s often easier to make adjustments than it would be with a two story home.
2 Point Highlight
When you’re choosing the right kind of house for your needs, you’ll want to consider whether you or anyone in your family has trouble with stairs and may need a house that’s all on one level.
Ranch houses are often popular because they can be big and sprawling without the need for anyone to go up or down stairs to use any of the rooms.
