What You Need to Know About Ranch-Style Houses

Ranch-style homes are considered the quintessential American structure and have existed since the 1930s. These homes are practical for any homeowner, and modern buyers could benefit significantly from this classic house design. Ranch houses were popular with the post-war middle class of the 1940s to the 1970s and have become a staple preference for homes until today.

The simplicity and practicality of ranch-style homes make them a charming abode for any family—from young parents to veterans. There are various types of ranchers across the US, namely California ranch, the most common, raised ranch, split-level ranch, storybook ranch, and suburban ranch.

 

What is a Ranch House?

A ranch house, a ranch-style home, or sometimes even called a rancher, is a single-story home with an open floor plan concept. This type of home often has an L-shape or U-shape design with low-pitched roofs and tends to be wider than deeper. Ranch houses typically feature large windows along the front and dedicated patio space. Additional features of modern ran-style homes include an attached garage and sliding doors that open onto the patio or backyard.

Ranch-style homes don’t feature a second floor, but many ranchers have finished basements that serve an additional floor and work great as an area for a home theater, home gym, or an extra bedroom.

 

Where in the US are Ranch-Style Homes Popular?

The ranch-style architecture can be seen across the country, but these homes are more commonly found in the West, Northwest, North, Midwest, and Southwest portions of the US. In the Northern and Midwest, you’ll discover ranchers with finished basements, while ranch-style homes with slabs can be found in California and the Southwest to accommodate warmer climates. Ranch houses originated in southern California in the 1930s.

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of ranch-style homes?

Advantage: Larger Living Space

• Ranch-style houses were created with easy access to the backyard and patio in mind. Without stairs, you get square footage for the living area. The lack of a staircase makes this home friendly to older people or those with knee and joint problems.

 

Disadvantage: Smaller Yards

• Since ranch-style homes require more space to build, outdoor spaces sometimes must be compromised. If you are making the property on several acres of land, that might be acceptable. Still, it could be a problem though if you are trying to fit your ranch home in a smaller footprint and you love to have an outdoor space for a playpen for your kids or a more extensive garden where you can plant crops.

 

Advantage: Open Floor Plan

• An open ranch floor plan makes it easier for families to bond and entertain guests because the kitchen, living room, and dining room can be brought together quickly. An open floor concept also lets natural light shine through your home. Since there’s no second story in ranch houses and the roofline is low pitch, it makes exterior maintenance and repairs easier.
• Ranchers also perfectly blend the indoors with the outdoors because they are designed to have easy access to your backyard or patio.

 

Disadvantage: Limited Private Space

• Some homeowners may find it uncommon to have all the bedrooms on a single level, and some rooms may even face the street. The same goes for the open floor plan concept because many homeowners want a clear division for their living area, dining area, and kitchen.

 

Advantage: Future Value

• Single-story homes are hot commodities, and ranch-style homes’ flexibility to cater to families of all ages makes them a good investment. Ranch-style homes are very spacious, making them attractive real estate properties. Of course, the resale value depends on several factors, including the location, area size, and topography of the property, but generally, their value is looking good upwards.

 

Disadvantage: Costlier Upkeep

• Ranch-style homes typically cost more per square foot to build than two-story homes. This type of home is pricier due to high build costs and the large plot of land they are made on. It’s also more expensive for internal maintenance, like your HVAC system. Since rooms are more spread out, some larger ranch-style homes may need to install two HVAC systems. Larger ranchers also require expansive roofs with more trusses, support beams, waterproofing, gutters, and shingles.

 

Are Ranch Houses More Expensive to Build?

Honestly, yes. Ranch houses are more expensive to build or purchase than a typical two-story home because their total square footage is spread across a single floor. Ranchers take up larger footprints and land, so it will cover more area for the foundation—and one of the most expensive parts of building a home is creating the foundation. Ranch houses also require more costs when you want to expand.

 

Is it Worth Investing in a Ranch House?

Overall, yes. Ranch houses are ideal if you love larger living spaces for you and your family. It’s child- and elder-friendly and is a type of home that ages gracefully, making it an excellent investment. In fact, it’s easier to add mobility measures to ranch-style homes for elders, like wider doors for wheelchairs and no curb showers for easier access, and it’s also easier to build a playground or playhouse in a ranch for kids.

At the same time, you can do a lot of things profitable on a ranch in case you no longer want to make it a home base. You can start raising livestock, planting or developing crops, offering horseback riding activities, animal breeding, or renting it out. You can also let time appreciate its value before selling it.

 

Final Thoughts

A lot of people consider ranch houses a luxury. And while that may be true, considering their price points and maintenance requirements, ranch houses bring so much to the table that owners could largely benefit from, especially for the long haul.

That said, if you’re looking to buy or sell a ranch house, we recommend that you reach out to Shorefront Investments, a real estate investor in the United States. They buy homes in any condition and provide no obligation offers within 24 hours of viewing the property, and they sell high-equity properties for reasonable costs.