Years ago I worked with a couple looking at every home for sale within Arlington, Virginia. Each time we discussed bidding on a home, the husband was hesitant to “go for it”. One day he looked at his wife and me and said, “You know, it just doesn’t feel like a home to me if we don’t go upstairs to go to bed.” After that “ah-ha” moment, we narrowed their search to eliminate all one story homes and other DC Metro Area house styles with the main living room and bedrooms on the same floor. The narrowing of this search saved them time by allowing them to focus on the homes that were truly candidates for their next home.
Regardless of the website or app you use to search for homes online, the data is most likely pulled from the local multiple listing service or MLS. BrightMLS is the local MLS for the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Northern Virginia – the areas where I work.
It’s important to understand the names that Bright uses to describe housing styles so you can personalize your search with your preferences. This will save you time and allow you to focus on properties that most closely match your wants and needs.
Below are the most common styles of homes with a photo or two so you can decide if this a style you might be interested in pursuing. One thing to remember – the Main Level listed in the MLS is the level on which you enter the home. This can be important when you select a house style to search for your next home.
From the main level entrance, Cape Cods typically have a central stairway up to the finished upper level. The peaked roof gives the upper level sloped ceilings. Windowed dormers often peek through the roof and create what looks like a 1.5 level design from the outside. Most DC Metro Area Cape Cods have full basements. It’s not uncommon for owners you raise the sloped ceilings by extending a large dormer across the back of the home.
In the DC Metro Area you’ll find many original Carriage Houses being used as garages, converted into extra living spaces for the main home or accessory dwelling Units, or sold as separate Carriage House homes. Most are located in alleys rather than on a main street. Some have kept original lofts while others have been completely reimagined.
Colonials are by far the most desired style of homes in the DC Metro area. These two-story homes may have a “center hall” or side entrance, but often include a full basement for three full levels. The Colonial Style comes in a variety of looks including the Dutch Colonial with
“barn shaped roofline on the sides, the smaller flat-front Federal or the Plantation style featuring an upper balcony with scrolled iron rails. Colonials may have garages on the side, behind, or beneath the home, depending on the elevation. Many Colonials have a side addition where a porch has been enclosed, adding to the square footage of the home.
When I started in real estate over 20 years ago, a Contemporary meant a modern home built in the 60s or 70s or a mid-century modern home with a boxy and minimalist design.
Today “Contemporary” is used by builders offering new construction, regardless of layout or style. So, you may find Colonials, Craftsman, and Modern Farmhouses listed as Contemporary. BrightMLS added “Mid-Century Modern” as a housing style to help separate the two house style. If you want a Mid-Century modern home, I recommend you search for both terms so you don’t miss any home you might like.
The ranch/rambler is a one-story home, usually with a front entrance. Many have a full basement. Depending on the elevation, the lower level may be a bright, above-ground, walk-out level in the back or it may be completely subterranean with small basement windows.
The raised rambler is similar to a rambler, but it is about a half level higher above ground with more steps up the front entrance. The basement windows may be a bit larger providing extra light in the lower level.
At first glance, Split Foyer homes can look like Colonials or a Raised Ramblers, but the front door is located in-between the two levels. Step inside to a small (often tight) platform with stairs leading up or down. The kitchen, living room, dining area and bedrooms are generally upstairs.
The Split Foyer’s lower level is half above ground with larger windows making the family room brighter that traditional lower levels/basements. With only two floors, Split Foyers generally have less square footage than colonials with basements, especially when the garage is tucked into the framework of the home as seen above.
Split Level homes have a ground level entrance. Small stairways of 5-7 steps lead to the other levels. Many Split Levels were built with carports, many of which have been converted into garages. In the DC Metro Area, Split Levels range from small 3-levels to large 6-levels.
There are a few other housing styles listed in Bright MLS which are more self-explanatory, like A-Frame or Log Home. The ones above are the most common housing styles. If you have questions about anything related to real estate, or are ready to start the search for your next home, give me a call at 202.271.5301 to Get Started.
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