Real Estate Article: House Styles

Because all real estate is local and house styles are called by different names it this area, we are providing this basic guide to home styles in the St. Louis area.  This should help you understand the area MLS better.  

Residential Styles The MLS has a search criterion for both style and architecture.  This category is supposed to be for homes that are owned as single family ownership.  There may be some homes that are in both categories in the MLS.  Some homes that look like condos have single family ownership, while some homes that look like single family homes may have a condo style ownership.

Photo (if available)	Style	Architecture
	A-Frame	The A-Frame has a distictive A shape and is often used in recreational property, but not exclusively
	Atrium	The Atrium styles normally denotes homes that have an open stairway to the finished walk-out lower level that has a large expanse of windows...usually on both levels.
	Atrium             1 1/2 story
	Ranch Atrium
	Raised Ranch	A Raised Ranch is a home has 2 finished levels and most of the lower level rear is frame and not basement.
	Bi-Level	Bi-Level refers to a home that has 2 finished levels.  The ranch atrium is a bi-level raised ranch with an atrium.
	Bungalow/ Cottage	The Bungalow or Cottage style used to be used exclusively for homes built in the early 20th century, but is now being seen in new construction.
	Earth Home	An earth sheltered home is one that has soil that covers the home on 3 sides and the roof.
	Mobile Home	A mobile home is one that has a VIN number an is taxed like a vehicle even if the wheels have been removed.
	Modular Home	A modular home is a home that is built in a factory and moved in sections and assembled on site on an existing foundation or basement.
	Ranch	A ranch style home is one of the most common style of homes.  They can be small or large. They can be on a slab or crawl space (rare in this area), but usually have a basement.  Large ranches are called "Ramblers" in some parts of the country.
	Row House	This is an historic style traditionally found in cities where homes are built attached to one another or with a very small space between each home.  Now being seen in new construction.
	Split Foyer	This is a very common home for starter homes.  The distinctive feature of a split foyer is that you enter the home at a foyer with stairs going up and down from the foyers.  Some have the garage under the bedrooms, while larger versions have the garage to the side and have a full lower level
	Multi-level	Those from other areas may call this home a "Split Level" home.  You enter on the main level of the home and then go up a half flight of stairs to the bedrooms and down to an garage level.  A Quad Level variation has a level under the main level of the home.  Some times tri-level homes are put in this category.
	Tri-level	This is a multi level home that only has 2 levels. Usually the laundry room will be found on the garage level.  Larger versions may have more space on the garage level.
These 3 categories are often interchangeable and often look like condominiums!	Zero Lot Line	This is a home where the edge of the home on at least one side is built to the edge of the lot.
	Half Duplex	This is like a zero lot line home in that 2 homes are attached.  A half duplex should have a maintenance agreement between the owners
	Villa	A villa is a newer term to denote a one level home that is either in an attached or detached configuration.  They are one level (probably with a basement) and can be single family or condo ownership.  As a condo, they can also be  "Garden unit"
	1 1/2 story	Colonial	1 1/2 story homes can come in various styles (for example contemporary), but this is the typical "Cape Cod Colonial" style.
	2 story	These are 3 examples of 2 story homes.
	2 story	Rustic	Rustic homes normally have cedar or log exterior.
	2 story	Contemporary	Contemporary homes are usually quite dramatic, but could have been built from the 1920's to today.  Many Contemporary homes were built in the 1950's.
	2 story	Colonial	A Colonial home should have at least a few features seen in homes built in the American Colonial period.
			Victorian denotes a variety of styles of homes that were built during the Victorian period.  The Historic home denotes homes that were built many years ago.  Newer homes can have the Victorian style
	2 story	Victorian/Historic
	2 story	Tudor	A Tudor home usually is obvious by it's "cross timber" look.
	2 1/2 story		These 2 are self explanatory.
	3+ story
		English	These 3 are a little hard to define.  Traditional is often the "catch all" when it is just a subdivision home.
		Manse
		Traditional

Condominium Styles

The condominium "styles" include garden (ground or basement level), loft (traditionally lofts are commercial conversions, but now some in new construction), ranch, townhouse (most 2 story condo units are townhouses), split foyer, 1 1/2 story, 2 story and 4+ story (those last two would mostly be for high-rise apartment style condos.

The condominium "locations" include end unit, detached, ground level, interior unit, lower level, upper level.

The condominium "architectures"  include colonial, contemporary, historic, and traditions.

I hope this helps you, but I'm sure it has also confused you!

Linda Grissette, GRI, e-PRO Certified

The Best Seller GMAC Real Estate, 3829 Veterans Memorial, St. Peters, MO 63376 

Licensed in the state of Missouri.

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