Authored By: Jo Soss : WestSoundLive.com
American Ranch, Western Ranch, or California Rambler are housing styles found all over the country. I guess it all depends where you live in choosing the term for a single story house plan. Working with relocation buyers to the Bremerton area I find it very interesting what areas of the country use what which term. I grew up calling them ramblers but have changed to using the term ranch once I entered the real estate profession. I believe the term Ranch is used by more real estate consumers than rambler.
What are the features of a ranch style home?
• Single story
• Low pitched roof
• Rambling (maybe that is why I used the term rambler) layout - Long and narrow
• Large windows: some double-hung, some sliding, and large living room picture windows
• Sliding glass doors leading out to patio (Updated to French doors, these days)
• Attached garage
• Very Simple floor plans
• Emphasis on openness (few interior walls) and efficient use of space
World War II always seems to play a roll in what we have today. When soldiers were returning from war amass the simple, economical Ranch house was built in huge quantities very quickly to meet their housing needs. I think this is where the whole “cookie-cutter” idea was born for the housing market.
Sure there are ranch style homes that show no style but there are also ranch style home designs that offer plenty of curb appeal. As the baby boomer generation ages these ranch style homes will be in huge demand all over the Bremerton area. With the cost of land we have went years without really including this style of home in the typical housing development. Large ranch homes will see their day and their prices will reflect their demand.
Jo Soss-Olson · WestSoundLive · Copyright © 2008 · All Rights Reserved
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