Home Styles In Real Estate Ads - The Meaning
By Raynor James, Fri Dec 9th

Whether you're buying or selling, reading real estate ads can beconfusing. Here's a primer on the styles mentioned in the ads.

Home Styles

What's the difference between a Tudor and Colonial style? Whatabout a Colonial and Dutch Colonial? Read on to find out.

"Colonial," "Georgian," or "Federal" style

Terms used when talking about a two (could be 3 or two and onehalf) story house that is very symmetrical. The front door is inthe center of the house. There are an



equal number of windows oneach side. There is an upstairs window over each downstairswindow and over the front door. There are usually exteriorshutters at the windows. (Note: The houses which inspired thisvery traditional style were built in the early days of ourcountry and are seen mostly in the East.)

"Tudor" style

A style of home that borrows from merry old England. Ittypically has exposed heavy dark beams. Some of the beams areperpendicular, some horizontal, and some at a forty five degreeangle. The exterior walls are usually stucco between the beams.The lower story is usually of brick or stone. The upper storyoften has sections that are cantilevered out over the lowerstory. Box bay windows and diamond shaped panes are frequentfeatures as are large chimneys.

"Dutch Colonial" style

Very much like colonial style except that the roof is a gambrelroof. That is, it's shaped like most folks think of a barn roof.It slopes down from a center ridge line and then, usually alittle more than half way to the edge, the angle of the slopebecomes sharper creating a second ridge at the front and backwhere the angle changes.

"Spanish," "Mexican," "Hacienda" style

Seen mostly in the South and West of our country, this styleincorporates stucco or adobe type bricks and red half round rooftiles. These homes are often built in a "U" shape with the wallsof the house extended to enclose the "U." This design device cangive a pleasant feeling of privacy to outdoor areas. Door andwindow openings with curved tops and wrought iron grilles, doorhinges, and handles are frequent features.

Summary

When looking at homes, you'll find particular styles appeal toyou. Once you identify the styles, you can narrow your searchfor the perfect home.

About the author:Raynor James is with http://www.fsboamerica.org - FSBO homes forsale by owner. Visit our home buying page athttp://www.fsboamerica.org/buyer.cfm to see homes for sale byowner.

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