If you’ve traveled around the United States at any point in your lifetime, you’ve probably come to realize how different real estate is throughout the 50 states. From home prices and sizes to location, amenities and planned communities versus small-town neighborhoods, the home styles vary greatly depending on what state you decide to visit on any given day. Whether you’re a native New Englander or are considering moving to the area soon, there is a lot to know about the overall style in this area of the country.

When it comes to buying a home your must-have list may include things like location, home size, bedroom requirements and price range, but often, home style is a forgotten selection. In New England, home styles vary from one neighborhood to the next, but there are a handful of traditional homes that you will always find in this area. You may have found yourself driving through an area of town where you loved the home style, but did not know what the formal name for it was. We are here to help you understand the different styles you may see when you explore your next home purchase in New England.

Explore the top 5 New England home styles to know today.

1.Ranch

This one-level home first made its appearance in the 1920s as an economical way to house your family in a suburban-developed area. From then, until about the 1970s, ranch-style homes were one of the most popular home options throughout the country. Post World War II, their ease of build, flexibility in design and low cost were a perfect match for families throughout the United States suburbs. Ranch-style homes are one of the main reasons many families moved from the cities into the suburbs, growing the suburban area greatly post-war. Ranch-style homes are simple in design appearance, boasting clean lines and a simple color palette, without many intricate design elements. Many of these homes utilize an L-shaped floor plan on a single story. They also, often, include an attached one or two-car garage. Other features include a patio with sliding door, a covered front porch and a pitched roof. Most floor plans do not exceed 2,000 square feet of living space.

2. Split Level

An upgraded modification to the standard ranch-style home, the split level gained traction in the late 1950s. Similar in features to the ranch, a split level includes all of the same elements as a ranch, but adds in extra room and features for a larger overall floor plan. In addition to the added space, there is an upper and lower level, divided at the entry. This splits the home into three separate spaces: a basement, an open upper level that includes the kitchen and living area and a sleeping quarter that includes all of the bedrooms down a specific hallway. Often, the basements on split-level homes are finished to add more living space to the home.

3. Cape Cod

Cape Cod homes, or capes for short, have been around since England’s colonization in America. Gaining traction again in the early 1930s, many original capes, built in the 1600s, were remodeled to fit the living space and requirements for the era. Some of the most popular features found in cape homes include wood or brick siding, a one-and-a-half-story design, wide shutters, a gabled roof, a single chimney and a centered front door. From the front door, there is a hallway that extends from the front to the back of the home and opens to each room throughout the house.

4. Colonial

The most popular two-story design, the colonial is a staple home throughout the country. Boasting either two or three stories, these homes typically feature 3 to 5 bedrooms and are ideal for larger families or those looking for more space. The first floor is the living area, including a den, a kitchen and, at least, a half bath. The second story houses all of the bedrooms while the third can include an additional bedroom or attic area. Other features include one to two brick chimneys, a front entryway, a high pitched roof, crown molding and other more intricate design features.

5. Victorian

Gaining popularity in the early 1900s due to new manufacturing techniques, the Victorian is a staple American home. Although older in age, these expansive homes feature elaborate and unique design features like turrets, specialized shingle shapes, multiple gabled roofs, bay windows and non-symmetrical floor plans. Often, they can be found in more eye-catching colors that vary throughout the interior and exterior. They are sometimes referred to as “gingerbread houses,” because of their intricate design elements.

New England includes homes of all eras and design backgrounds, but many pinnacle American homes can be found in the heart of this area. The New England states are filled with vast history of the United States and that can be seen in the home designs that still pop up on the market. If you are in the market for a new home or hoping to decide on your ideal home design this year, I can help. Let’s connect and discuss what your home goals are and tackle your plan together.

Why did you get into Real Estate?

Chris has vast experience working in client-facing roles. He always knew he wanted to work with people, but the pandemic solidified a change, for the better, in his career path. When asked why he decided to get into real estate he stated, “I was an assistant restaurant manager when the pandemic hit. I took a leave and decided to try real estate. (It was the) best decision I have ever made along with marrying my beautiful wife and getting lasik surgery.”

If you had to give someone one piece of realty advice what would it be?

Chris’s realty advice is simple, but compelling and applies to all aspects of life. He says, “don’t give up on what you want. There’s always a way.” Whether you’re on the verge of a career change, moving across the country, getting married, or in search of your first big home purchase this year, don’t give up. Anything you want in life takes time, but the extra effort and time are worth it in the long run. This advice is especially helpful in a strong seller’s market where competition is kicked into high gear. Don’t get discouraged if your offer isn’t accepted the first time around, your dream house is out there waiting for you and, in the end, you will get exactly what you want.

Why did you decide to work with Maura?

There are so many great qualities that realtors and clients notice in Maura right away. Chris’s decision to work with Maura was quite simple. He said what he admired most about her is, “her reputation, work ethic, positive attitude, and (the fact that) she is always moving forward.” Great leaders always have a forward-thinking mindset and use it to teach their colleagues how to excel in their respective fields and we believe Maura does just that.

What does your dream home look like?

Realtors spend a majority of their days visiting a variety of homes on the market at any given time. From remodeled farmhouse style to clean-lined and sleek townhomes, the variety is quite endless. They explore fixer-uppers and new builds to help clients stumble upon their dream homes and work their magic to secure a deal along the way. When it comes to their own personal idea of a dream home, their personal experiences and style always seem to take center stage. When asked what his dream home included, Chris concluded that it needed three key elements: “Light (lots of windows), warmth (fireplace) and relaxation (jacuzzi bathtub),” and we couldn’t love this balance anymore.

Give us 3 random fun facts about you.

We love to learn about our people. Here are three fun facts about Chris.

Chris likes the smell of skunk (“from a distance not on my shoe”). He believes it comes from weekend trips to his grandma’s house in rural Wenham when he was growing up.

He met his wife while on vacation in Ireland in 2004.

He’s ambidextrous.

We are so excited to welcome Chris to our Keller Williams team. He will work alongside us, assisting clients in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. If you would like to learn more about Chris, or other members of our team, contact us to set up a meeting today. We can’t wait to hear from you!