So, whether you’re on the hunt for your very first home or you're eyeing a new investment property, you must have noticed how much lingo is floating around when it comes to different house styles and structures. But fear not! Getting a handle on this jargon can work wonders for you. It'll not only help you find your dream home, but also prepare you for any potential issues during the home inspection and clue you in on the perks of certain types of homes. It's like having an insider's guide to all things home-related!

When it comes to finding the perfect home, it's good to keep in mind a couple of important factors: the structure type and the style. The structure type refers to the kind of building, such as a single-family home or a condo. On the other hand, the style refers to the architectural features and design, like Craftsman or contemporary.

To make your home search a little easier, we've gathered the most popular structures and styles of homes. This way, you can narrow down your preferences and focus on finding your dream home.

Types Of Houses: Structures

When it comes to finding your perfect home, whether it's your first one, an investment property, or as part of your home selling journey, the first step is figuring out what kind of home structure suits your needs. Let's take a look at the most common types of homes you'll come across during your search.

Apartment

An apartment is basically one of many units in a building. The cool thing is, you gotta rent it from someone. And guess what? Apartments usually come with awesome perks like having a repair person on site, laundry facilities, a gym, or even a pool!

Sure, you won't have as much privacy and you won't be making any money off the place, but there are a bunch of other factors to think about when deciding whether to buy or rent.

Pros: Repairs and maintenance are taken care of.
Cons: There’s no option to purchase, leading to less flexibility and freedom.

Condo

If you're a fan of the perks that come with living in an apartment but want to own your own place, a condo could be the perfect choice for you. Instead of relying on a building manager or landlord to take care of your unit, you'll be responsible for all the repairs and maintenance.

Condos are a fantastic choice for those who prefer the urban lifestyle and for older adults who want to own a home and have a mortgage, without the hassle of maintaining a single-family house.

Pros: There’s less upkeep than a single-family home, along with the benefits of homeownership.
Cons: There’s less privacy and free agency.

Co-Op

You know, when people talk about a co-op, they're actually referring to a housing cooperative. It's pretty unique compared to the other types of housing we've been discussing. So, here's the deal: instead of buying the actual property, you're buying a share of the company that owns the building. The cool thing is, the number of shares you own usually determines how much space you get in the co-op. Once you're in and you've bought your shares, you also get a say in decisions regarding common spaces, and you'll split the costs for maintenance and other fees with your fellow co-op owners.

Pros: Co-ops provide a great sense of community and are less expensive than a traditional home.
Cons: There is less freedom and decisions must get group approval.

Single-Family (Detached)

Do you know what's great about single-family homes? They're totally separate from all those other housing units like condos, apartments, and townhomes. Most of the homes in the U.S. fall into this category, you know? Although you might not see them as much in bustling cities where people are packed in, they're more of a suburbs kind of thing. The cool part is that single-family homes tend to offer more privacy and freedom to personalize things (unless you've got a pesky homeowners association telling you otherwise, of course).

Pros: Single-family homes have greater privacy and more freedom than most other homes.
Cons: They typically cost more to maintain and own

Tiny Home

Hey there! So, have you heard about the whole tiny home craze that's been going on lately? It's actually become quite a movement! These little houses, usually ranging from 60 to 400 square feet, have captured the hearts of many people. Some of them are actually prefabricated, while others are entirely customized.
Guess what? Tiny homes are all the rage, especially among single folks and couples who are craving more flexibility both financially and physically. You see, some of these adorable homes are actually built on wheels, so they can be moved around to different locations. Pretty cool, right?

Pros: Tiny homes are more affordable and provide greater physical freedom.
Cons: They have significantly smaller space, with less room for family growth.

Townhome

So, a townhouse or townhome is basically a house that's attached to another one and they both share a wall. You know, they're kind of like siblings living next door to each other. The cool thing is, even though they're connected, each townhouse has its own separate entrance from the street. They're really popular in big cities where there's not a whole lot of space to go around.

Townhomes are pretty smartly designed too. Instead of taking up a lot of space in width, they go up with multiple stories. It's like they're saying, "Hey, let's save some space by building up rather than spreading out!" And sometimes, if you're lucky, there might be some nice extras that are shared among the townhouses, like a cool pool or a fancy gym. It's like having awesome amenities right in your own neighborhood.

Pros: They’re typically more affordable than single-family homes.
Cons: There’s less privacy and less freedom to change the exterior.

Are you leaning towards a townhouse as the perfect choice for your homeownership needs? Let's figure out how much you qualify for, so that you and your REALTOR® can craft a strong offer for your dream home.

Types Of Houses: Architectural Home Styles

Just wanted to mention that the architectural style of your home plays a huge role in determining what kind of interior design will look amazing in it. It's pretty cool how these house styles have been around for decades, and people put a ton of effort into restoring them or even recreating them in new buildings.

But, here's a pro tip: besides just the looks, knowing the time period of your home can actually come in handy. It helps you prepare for any common issues that might affect specific styles. So, don't forget to ask the seller about these issues and pay close attention during your final walk-through.

To make it easier for you, we've compiled a list of different house styles below. Take a look and see which one suits your preferences and your family's lifestyle the best. Happy browsing!

Cape Cod

Have you ever heard of the Cape Cod style? It actually started way back in the 1700s in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. These houses are quite charming, but they were also built tough to brave the harsh winters in New England.

The original Cape Cod homes were pretty straightforward. They had wood siding, roof shingles, and a door in the middle with windows on each side. Nowadays, they still keep those same elements, but they've got a bit more room to stretch out, which means more windows to let in that lovely natural light.

Key features: Shingles, wood siding, central door with flanking windows

Colonial

Have you ever noticed how Colonial homes and Cape Cod style homes are quite similar? They both have this classic, timeless look with their simple, rectangular and symmetrical structure. It's actually a style that dates all the way back to the 1600s!

What's interesting about Colonial homes is that they were influenced by various countries that occupied different regions when they were being built. You've got English, French, Dutch, Georgian, Spanish, and American (which looks a lot like English) colonials. So depending on the type, you might see different architectural elements and design influences.

When you step into a Colonial home, you can usually expect it to be at least two stories tall. And you know what's really impressive? Most of them have this grand entrance with a central staircase. It gives them this elegant, welcoming vibe right from the moment you walk in!

Key features: Two-plus stories tall, symmetrical, central stairway, formal look

Contemporary

You know, a lot of people tend to mix up contemporary and modern styles, but they're actually quite different. See, contemporary refers to what's happening right now, while modern is more about a past time period, like midcentury modern.

Nowadays, contemporary homes often take inspiration from modernist styles. They're all about using eco-friendly materials and designs that have clean lines and natural textures. When it comes to colors, they tend to stick with neutrals and add in splashes of color on the inside to liven things up a bit.

Key features: Clean and simple lines, neutral colors, natural textures

Craftsman

The Craftsman style is all about appreciating the art of handmade, well-built architecture. These houses stand out from the regular, mass-produced homes you see everywhere - they usually have a solid, horizontal structure.

Craftsman houses showcase gorgeous materials that have been carefully crafted by hand. You'll notice exposed beams, low-sloping roofs with gables, and porch columns that elegantly taper downwards. Step inside and you might find custom touches such as built-in bookshelves and a fireplace that has been painstakingly laid by hand.

Key features: Hand-crafted wood features, exposed beams, large columns

Greek Revival

You know, Greek revival-style homes are pretty easy to spot because of those impressive columns they have that look just like the ones on the Parthenon and other famous Greek buildings. This style emerged in the U.S. back in the 1830s, and it was inspired by Greek democracy, philosophy, and culture. These houses really make a statement with their grand front door and entrance, and they usually have large columns with Greek-style decorations. Oh, and they tend to go for white or more muted colors, which adds to their classic charm.

Key features: Large white columns, Greek-style embellishments, grand entrance

Farmhouse

Basically, farmhouse-style homes are inspired by actual farmhouses, both inside and out. They usually have high ceilings, visible beams, a big front porch, a straight-line layout, and a fireplace in the middle.
Some farmhouse-style homes have roofs that resemble barns, while others are more subtle about it. The details of these homes are often rustic, with exposed brick and stone. But the modern farmhouse style takes this rustic vibe and adds sleeker lines and other modern updates to it.

Key features: Rustic, rectangular floor plan, large porch, barn-inspired roofs and features

French Country

French country-style homes are actually inspired by the charming dwellings you'd stumble upon in the scenic countryside of France, like in the beautiful region of Provence. While they may have some similarities with farmhouse-style houses, French country homes definitely have their own unique style. Picture homes with pointed roofs topped off with cute shutters, and usually crafted from lovely stone materials. As you step inside, prepare to be greeted by a warm stone fireplace, complemented by the cozy presence of distressed wood furnishings. The interior colors tend to be soft and soothing, often showcasing pastels and weathered hues that give off a sense of subtle elegance.

Key features: Provencal influences, stone exterior, weathered look

Mediterranean

Mediterranean-style homes are all about blending the best of Spanish and Italian villa vibes. They're designed to maximize that indoor-outdoor living experience we all love. That's why you'll find them most commonly in places like California and Florida, where the weather is just right.

So, picture this: tiled roofs, walls with that classic white stucco finish, and an inviting mix of warm stone, wood, and intricate metal work on the balconies and windows. These houses usually have a subtle and understated appearance, but don't be surprised by a burst of vibrant color! The gorgeous tile work sprinkled throughout adds that extra touch of beauty.

Key features: White stucco, warm wood and stone, tiled roofs

Midcentury Modern

Did you know that Midcentury modern design actually came about after World War II as a result of the Bauhaus movement? It's pretty interesting how these homes have such a sleek and uncluttered design, right? And what's really cool is the way they bring nature into the picture with those big windows, along with a neat mix of natural and man-made materials. You can see that a lot of thought has gone into their architectural design, with the idea that function should inspire form. It's all about making these homes not just look good, but also work really well for the people who live in them.

Key features: Mix of organic and geometric, sleek, uncluttered, large windows

Ranch

Back in the 1930s, ranch-style houses started showing up on the real estate scene. But it wasn't until the 1950s that they really took off and became super popular. Picture this - these homes are usually just one story, and they've got these cool low-pitched roofs, big ol' windows, and sliding glass doors. Plus, they usually come with a nice big backyard, perfect for all your outdoor activities. And the inside? Well, get ready for some open living spaces and attached garages.

But wait, there's more! Ranch homes have different variations too, like split-level, storybook, California, and raised ranch. Let's talk about California ranch homes for a sec - they're shaped kinda like an "L" or a "U" and they're all about that backyard living vibe. So yeah, if you're all about chillin' and enjoying the great outdoors, these homes are definitely worth a look!

Key features: Single story, low-pitched roof, open living spaces and floor plans, backyard

Split-Level

You know those split-level homes that popped up in the 1950s and '60s? They came out of the ranch-style home design and really took off. What makes them different is how they divide up the living spaces. Instead of having long, sprawling flights of stairs like your typical two- or three-story homes, split-levels have multiple floors connected by these shorter flights of stairs. Some people dig the cool way the spaces are separated, but others find all those little stairs a bit of a hassle.

Key features: Living spaces segmented by short flights of stairs

Tudor

Did you know that the Tudor home style was actually brought to the U.S. by European-trained architects back in the late 1800s? It wasn't until the 1920s, though, that it really started gaining popularity. The design itself is inspired by Late Medieval and early Renaissance architectural elements and features things like stone masonry, timber framing, steep gable roofs, and those classic leaded windows. One thing you'll notice about Tudor homes is that they're usually asymmetrical and have this really charming, storybook-like appearance.

Key features: Timber framing, stonework, asymmetrical, steep gable roofs

Victorian

Did you know that Victorian homes got their name from Queen Victoria? These charming houses first became popular in the 1830s and stayed in vogue until the early 1900s. They usually have two to three stories and are filled with beautiful, intricate details. Think bay windows, small towers, porches, and steep gable roofs. And oh, let's not forget the bright and colorful facades that make them truly eye-catching. There are different designs that sprouted from these key features, like the fancy Gothic Revival and Queen Anne styles, or the simpler and more humble folk style.

Key features: Two- to three-plus stories, ornate, steep gable roofs, small towers, bright facades

The Bottom Line

Finding the perfect home can sometimes feel like a real challenge. But hey, here's a tip: if you figure out your preferred home style before you start searching, it'll make things way easier. Not only will it give you and your real estate agent some direction, but it'll also help cut down on options that don't fit your vibe.
Oh, and here's another thing to keep in mind. Sellers like to see that you're serious about buying their place, so it's a good idea to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you even start scouting for houses. By doing this, you'll have a better chance of moving swiftly when you finally find that dreamy house that steals your heart.

So, why wait? Go ahead and check out what you qualify for today. That way, when you stumble upon a house that makes your heart skip a beat, you can make your move without any hesitation.