DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT FOLKS! !   OR, DIFFERENT HOME STYLES FOR DIFFERENT TASTES! !

12,000 MEMBERS.  Any minute now, the membership of Active Rain will pass 12,000.  That is an awesome number considering that Active Rain goes back on line only to what? July 2006??  WOW! !   

One of the wonderful benefits of on line interactive web sites such as Active Rain is the national perspective we gain by reading articles written by members from across this land.  There are as many personalities as there are members.  We get to know various areas of the country through the individual real estate practitioners, lenders, home inspectors, etc. 

To better familiarize members that practice in other areas, this article is aimed at showing the home types and styles found in our market place in Maryland and Northern Virginia.  Not every home style is shown but most are shown and described.  I have always found it interesting that we have different names for home styles depending on the location of the viewer.  Enjoy and understand that these styles are within about 100 miles of real estate in the Maryland / Baltimore corridor and Northern Virginia as well as Southern Maryland, Eastern Shore and areas north of DC.  

                        REAL ESTATE IN MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA     

 POPULAR HOME TYPES FOUND IN MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA REAL ESTATE

      Single Family Detached              Single Family Town Home                   Garden Type Condominium

     High Rise Condominium                            Patio Home

 Single Family Detached - The most popular type of home for families with children, pets.  Offered in all suburban areas in all prices from resale, new, affordable to luxury and estate homes prices.  Usually constructed in areas zoned for 1-8 units per acre. 

 Single Family Town Home - Popular with first time home buyers and buyers who prefer low yard maintenance.  Constructed in all urban and suburban areas with zoning for 8 or more units to the acre. 

 Garden Type Condominium - Popular with singles and first time home buyers.  The most popular "starter home" Maintenance of grounds and exterior performed by management. 

 High Rise Condominium - Constructed in urban areas zoned for multi-family buildings.  Popular in areas close to public transportation, shopping, entertainment and employment centers. 

 Patio Home - Popular type used for senior communities with master bedroom and bath on main level.  Built in condominium communities with exterior and grounds maintenance performed by management. 

HOME STYLES FOUND IN MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA
Home Styles found in the Maryland and Northern Virginia real estate market range from the popular to the very unusual.  Home buyers from all over the country have built homes in this area and the architecture reflects the variety of styles imported from other geographic areas. 

                      
The Colonial                                              The Rambler / Rancher                 The Split Foyer

• Colonial - Two story homes with bedrooms on upper level.
• Rambler / Rancher - One story homes with or without basement.
• Split Foyer - Entrance to landing with steps up to living area and down to lower level which may be finished.
  
  
          
  
                 The Split Level                             The Cape Cod                                     The Victorian
  
• Split Level - May be constructed with 3-6 levels with entrance on living room level, bedrooms on upper level and recreation areas on lower levels.
• Cape Cod - Distinctive front sloped roof, often with dormers.  Bedrooms on both levels.  With or without basements. 
• Victorian - Homes with porches, gables, turrets, decorative features.  May be historic or replicas. 
  
         
• The Contemporary                         The Tudor                                          The International
• 
  
• Contemporary - Open spaces, natural wood and stone features and construction, multi-level homes similar to homes found in Western United States.  Popularized during the mid 20th Century. 
• The Tudor - Distinctive wood trim in exterior and interior design features.
• International - Generally large estate homes that don't fit other home style descriptions.

Home Types and Styles are the most popular and found throughout the Maryland and Northern Virginia real estate market. 

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com  Homefinders.com