Real Estate Views from St Pete

Yes and what I find interesting is that some of these three story homes are being built with elevators as an option to accomodate the aging population.  Single stories are in higher demand than two or above with the boomer crowd so watching the value of single stories vs the rest in the next couple of years will be amazing!

you can't give them away in my area

Sharon...  interesting because when I was little (7 yrs old), we moved from NJ to Texas and I could remember so many ranchers with no basements because of flooding. I also agree, that with small lots, all you can do it build up. Last....  I do agree with the sunlight that you can get in regards to the rancher.

The trend that I see here in S. Jersey?  Two story homes, may it be a small lot or a large lot....  if a larger lot, they just add more to the house.

                                                                                                             

Ranches still have their fan club in NJ; sought after by those who are moving with an elderly parent or are getting up there in years themselves.

Have a great weekend!

Antoinette

www.AntoinettesHomes.com

Antoinette... I didn't mean that NJ doesn't have any. My parents are in their early to mid 60's and they are looking at homes or even possibly to build a new one as a rancher. Just that you see mostly 2 story homes now, being built.

                                                                                                             

Sharon - interesting! You don't see many of the new subdivisions and master planned communities building them in my area. You get a very small number but they are rare. It is often hard to find single story homes for buyer clients that specifically ask for them, for age reasons or other.  I live in a class custom California ranch and love it! Easy to merge indoor and outdoor living from almost every room.

Jeff

In Kansas City, the typical move up  buyer is looking for something other than a ranch - often a split. We have a huge number of "GI Joe" ranches built after the war.  They sell well for rentals or first time home buyers or now for downsizers.  We have some gorgeous older ranches on larger lots that are being snatched up and remodeled.  They go for a very pretty price.  Not too many new ranches are being built because of land cost.  If a larger ranch in a decnt area  comes on the market, likely it will sell quickly, either to an investor to rehab or an owner who wants one level. As the population ages I expect demand to increase.  lea

In the Seattle Tacoma area one story homes are desirable. They are usually the first ones to sell. Usually for more money. The problem in our area is that they are not being built anymore because of two reasons. My understanding is 1) square foot vs square foot they are more expensive to build. More roofing materials, more insulation, etc. and 2) the builders are getting new lots as small as 3700 square feet in some areas. How are they going to build a 2000 sq ft home on that with the setbacks etc? They can't. Because they pushed for the maximum density on the land they purchased. Why build 10 single level homes when you can build 15-18 2 story homes?

Ranchers went out here about 15 years ago when the cost of land got to high to accomodate the footprint in most subdivisions.  Folks who really want a ranch home in this area have to go to older neighborhoods.  Then they don't want a home in an older neighborhood. 

What did make a bit of a come back in recent years is the Colonial style with the first floor owner's suite.

Works for me.  I built one.

 

They are not real popular here in Connecticut, at least not in new construction. In fact, some of the older ones sell rather slowly too. Personally I like them but then again, I'm old. Some of the large older ranches are really nice. They are often on large lots that make them pricey.

 

We are seeing a resurgence of the 1 story home in 55+ communities -- otherwise, they are far and few between - also, with the cold weather in NH, they are more expensive to build due to the foundation/insulation requirements.

Looks like it's a highly regional thing!  Ranch homes are hot here, sell much more quickly than their 2-story competition, since NC is a destination for half-backs/empty nesters.  Even on the tiny lots where the ranch eats up the entire building envelope, they're here and still quite popular.  Split levels and split foyers are obsolete plans around here by contrast.

Hi Sharon - interesting that they'd call a housing style that's been around for so many years 'temporary'.  True, alot of builders are into building McMansions because they can make alot of money off of them, but they are also building ranches/1 story homes, too, and there's definitely a market for those.

Ann

We're retrofitting them in Asheville. Incredible, gorgeous redesigns that work so well for people who appreciate the convenience of main floor living...and TLC for their knees.

Sad but true our local builders are not building one story homes.  However I still see a huge demand for them, a lot of my clients ask for single story homes.

As ther population ages I believe two storys will become difficult to sell.  I'm already seeing with the large influx of retirees into our area a definate trend away from 2 stories.  Wood floors were not popular for a while too...Now people love them....

Most builders I've visited recently in the Las Vegas valley are building two-story homes (and a few three-story) on 4500 sq ft lots. I've seen a few one-story homes with nice 18-2100 square foot floor plans, but those are usually limited to corner lots or culdesacs.

I grew up in a ranch and currently live in one.  I hope they don't die out!  When we sell ranches, we think of the empty nest buyer or the person who doesn't want to or can't do stairs any longer.  These buyers (unless the physical need is urgent) aren't in a huge hurry to sell the family home and buy something so practical - maybe the baby boomers need to get a little older before the value of a ranch meets that of a two story home.  We are seeing a trend of builders having a first floor master with extra bedrooms upstairs.  Sherry

I have seen not a single new ranch development in our area, but I have heard more than once from retiring baby-boomers that they felt there were not enough ranch style homes to buy.  It seems single level living is a great selling point to an aging population!

I have not seen ANY building going on on Long Island for just Ranches anymore.  The new homes they are building all cost in excess of a least a million and they're huge homes, even in "regular" neighborhoods.....To think we were known for the Levitt Ranch!

It's less expensive for builders to build two stories- not nearly as much in cost for the foundation.  People in Long Island seem to want ranches- it's the baby boomer thing, ready to emerge in force- if you have a ranch, hang onto it for a few more years.

Sharon, you are right that they are not being built here. To me, that would say there is opportunity to promote them as an alternative for someone looking for ease of living and an affordable home.  We could (and will!) discuss the impact on the environment in continuing to build as opposed to rehab an existing building. First time buyers= first time sellers= great opportunity for me!  Viva le BrickRanch!! ;)

I have to agree that fewer builders are choosing this style.  That's a shame because 1 level living is so convenient.  I think the lot size has a lot to do with it plus the cost of construction is higher.

I fell in love with ranch houses when i was in California. I notced there were very few when I came back home here in Brooklyn.

I would rather list a newer single story home than almost anything else. 

They make the phone ring. 

The demand certainly exists, although some Buyers don't realize they will pay more per SF compared to other styles of home.

We are in a very attractive area, and grandparents are relocating to be near their grandkids.  Pulte/Del Webb has something like a 14 month backlog on ranch homes in Cary.

Another builder has enough people on his waiting list to sell 120% of the first phase of a single story home neighborhood.

Here in Connecticut, even in the over 55 developments - town houses and 2 stories are what are being built. Very rare to see new ranch homes.

Sandra

We'll go from ranch houses to one level living.  In Minnesota tho, we still like our basements!

Interesting perspectives.

My wife and I just moved into a circa 1950 brick rancher and refinished the now beautiful hardwood floors.

The obvious reason not many spec ranchers are being built is costs. It costs much more to build a 2,000 square foot rancher than a 2,000 foot 2 story. Simple economics.

I am one who appreciates a sprawling california ranch (so few of them here in my town of Trumbull CT), although there are lots of 3-4 bedroom 50's ranches for sale here--usually on a nice acre properties- many end up being colonials-I just wish they would use an architect to design them.  I see "very few" that have great curb appeal after the add on.  They just look like a big square box or worse.

Sharon, I don't know if you have a Divosta homes community around you but they build only in Fla and have a few developments in this area.  3 of 4 of their plans are ranch.  They attach them  like duplexes to save room and fit them on those "postage stamp" lots.  I have blogged two communities here, San Remo and Village Walk.  If anyone is interested and cares to see photos or floor plans.  Also see, Divosta.com.

Sharon-

I saw this post last night when you posted it and didn't want to read it.  Basically because I LOVE ranches and do not want them to disappear!  But, you are correct in what you are seeing, it is happening in the Indianapolis area too!  Especially with production builders.  All the reasons you stated are what production builder reps have expressed to me when I've visited the various showrooms.  I have a bad knee, so 2-stories do not interest me anymore.  I guess I'm just an old fart and want to stick up for the rest of us old farts that need 1 level.  (lol)  Great post!

I've found that the single stories are snapped up in subdivisions that have a plethora of two stories, but precious few one-stories.  You can get a premium for them and they go fast.   As for the price per square foot being higher, I explain to folks that it's sort of like buying swimsuits - the smaller they are, the more expensive they are!  That seems to ring a bell, with the women especially.

Jeff, where did you get the idea that there are no basements here in Texas because of flooding?  There are no basements here, true, but that's true statewide, in areas where flooding would be a blessing!  (We do drought very well here.)  We just don't have a need for them and have the room to spread out - they're pretty  much considered a Northern thing, although I have seen, over the course of my lifetime, three basements in houses here. 

This does not, of course, include storm cellars, of which we have many, especially along tornado alley. 

Sharon - Here in Connecticut, everyone wants a colonial-style home.  Ranch homes are definitely not the desired homes here, even in areas where lot size is not an issue (2 acre zoning).  But, the good part of this is that prices of ranch homes are lower, appealing to both first-time buyers and those downsizing who may not want stairs any more.

Personally, I'm in my first colonial home. We love it. But, sometimes we miss the ease of the bedrooms being down the hall instead of upstairs, especially with kids.

Git 'em up, move 'em out!  Come on li'l doggy, let's ride! 'Dem ranches ain't goin' away, dey's jes gettin' older!  Eeeeee-hawwwwwww!

Baby boomers are getting up in years and many are retiring and moving to the Lowcountry region of South Carolina.  Many newer homes being built are NOT of your ranch style variety but more of the colonial and victorian style.  But it seems like most of our "affordable housing" is considered ranch style homes.  Single-story homes are still very popular here so there are still ranch styles homes being built.  We have a lot of waterfront property here and because of that, homes have to be built well above median high tide, which means homes in flood zones are no longer built on slab. 

If it's just a temporary fling, how long does 'temporary' last anyway? 

Thank you for bringing up this interesting topic! Ranchers are highly desired in this upscale suburb of San Francisco. Boomers want single levels, these homes were built on far larger lots, and heating and coling costs are much less. Long live the ranch!

Our area is exploding with HUGE 2 and 3 story homes (which I truly can't understand - it's like people don't realize they'll have to clean, heat, maintain a 5000 - 10,000 sf home).  What's interesting is I have a client (and I'm sure many people do) that are elderly, but active.   Still, they have difficulty with stairs, so we're looking for a single story house with no stairs at all (one or 2 is ok coming into the home or whatever).  They are few and far between (and especially difficult to find here - because of our hills many homes have some sort of stairs to accommodate the land). 

Also, our area is REALLY expensive compared to surrounding communities and very desirable due to the schools.  The "little" ranch at 2000 sf is a way for people to get into the market here.  At least that's what I'm counting on for my newest listing.   

Elevators:  yes, we're seeing some of them.  For my clients who are building multistory, if they don't want an elevator themselves, I always suggest that they design for an elevator shaft, then just have the doors access a closet on that level. It makes it much easier for the next buyer who does want an elevator.

Split levels.  We have very few of them in the Tampa Bay area - perhaps because our topography is so flat. Perhaps 1% of the homes are split levels.

First floor master bedrooms.  These are very popular in our 2 story homes - at least, where there's space on the lot. Some of the larger homes have a second bedroom and bath on the ground floor as well.  Boomers and older parents prefer the master downstairs - families with young children often want to be with the kids.  Most flexible solution, then, would be to have a master both upstairs and downstairs, using the unwanted one as a guest room.

Sharon, I can sell a home with a walkout basement much faster than a ranch home.  It's a little harder to sell a two story home here unless there are very few steps.  Older people prefer no steps.  I don't ever see the ranch going "bye bye", however I do see them getting smaller.  Great post!

Thank you ALL for your comments. It IS interesting to see the regional differences. Some may be due to topography, some to lot size, some to cost, some to coastal or flooding areas, some to local preference. It's also great to see building backlogs in some areas - can we share some of our inventory?

Sharon,

I live in a one story home about 2700 sqft. my lot size is about 12,000..which is pretty big in my opinion..I do not see a difference other than size of family and or price..1 story tend to be cheaper in price.

Neal, my one story home is also about 2700 sq ft on a waterfront lot about 10,000 sq ft - and I like it. The upscale homes in our area that Rutenberg and others are building tend to be single story as well. Where I'm seeing the two story homes is in the new developments in the surrounding counties where the lots are perhaps 45 x 80 or 3,600 sq ft.

Sharon,

I think it is because the builders are trying to attract larger families and also they can justify high pricing.

But with many large families...people look for those 5 BR plus 3 car gar models.

Sharon- Ah sadly  the Classic Mid-Century home.. formerly referred to as a ranch..  hasall but disapperaed in Southern Ca.. however the few that are left can command some high prices.    Boomers who need to downsize to one level as they get older are rediscovering these homes.  Not everyone who gets older wants to move to a 900 sqft 2 bedroom condo.. I suspect as more and more Boomers look to get rid of their multi-level homes you will see a huge demand for these older one level styles..

Neal - increasingly people want two of the bedrooms to use as offices - i.e., more space needs. Think about telling people in your signature that you're from Weston.

Kaye -  what's interesting here is how the new owners are totally redoing these one story homes - open them up, add colors, raise the ceilings, add glass on the waterside - sure are different once you go through the front door than they look from the street.

I was raised here in Missouri, but lived in New England for couple of years.  When we first moved there I remember thinking how few ranch homes there were.  Almost everything was a colonial or cape cod style.  Now that I'm back in Missouri, at least in Jefferson City, most new homes being built are ranch style.  I don't see that trend changing anytime soon around here.

Jen - when I lived in New England, single family homes were a rarity in Newport as well.

My market is a balanced mixture of both single story and 2 story homes. The average size lot in Poinciana is 70x100 so there's plenty of room to build a single story. But we definitely have more large 2 story homes being built with 2500-3000 sq ft living.

Way to get comments Sharon! Ranchers go like hotcakes around here and for more money. Bi level, Tri level and old fashion 2 stories are a the standard not because of lot size but because going up is cheaper. A 2 story house around here can be as much as 20% cheaper. Anybody need an acre of ground? Pueblo West usually starts around $19,000.

Thanks, Dena. Actually, the number of comments surprised me.  Interesting to see a 20% difference!

Sharon,

Ranches certainly are not going out of style here in Northern Michigan.  However, many have lower level walkouts.  With the graying of America, I think one floor living will continue to be in high demand.

I hope ranches are here to stay. Although with my big family, I'd need a sprawling ranch. That's what I eventually want, a sprawling ranch on a bit of land.

In the late 90's (calendar, no ME) I worked as a sales manager for a builder developer based in Tallahassee who built entry level homes - all ranch homes.  (He also built the bigger stuff, but liked the broader market base in first time home buyers.) 

In the  First Time price range, I don't know how anyone could afford a second story.  But demographics change, and the new FTHB wants it all.  I'M not partial to a ranch style - I like to get away sometimes, but in FL going down isn't much of an option, so up is all that's left as wide disappears.

Good blog.  Thanks.

From a cost per square foot point of view (the most affordable) two stories are most common.  For our area in Central Washington, where retirees are flooding in, the single level living is in very high demand even though the cost per square foot for construction is higher.

We do not have that many single story homes in our inventory.  I am finding the demand for them is strong, especially among the seniors.

Stefan - walkouts are great where the land allows it. Makes a basement much more useful as extra living. Like a two-story home with the master on the ground floor - older people can use it as one story living and yet have the other floor for guests. In our tear downs and rebuild McMansions, the ground level garage and storage area is rather like a walkout, too.

Christy - by all means, keep your goal in front of you - the sprawling ranch on some land.

Art - in our surrounding areas it's land cost vs two story construction cost, so often the two story is less expensive than the same sq ft on one level that requires a larger lot.

Carol - I wonder if the trend will change when retirees are buying more homes than large families.

Randy -  my second home "dream" is one of the wonderful single story Hawaii homes with the beautiful native woods, where the walls disappear and you have the peaceful koi pond on one side and a view of the ocean on the other.

In Hawaii I also saw homes that had different living areas in pods or mini-houses, connected by walkways. Don't think they're too common, though.