The Raised Ranch
vs. New England style Raised Ranch...
So… What is a “Raised Ranch” anyway?
Well the name kind of gives it away, it’s a ranch inspired
home that is essentially raised so that more living space can be extended onto
the first level, this is not to be confused with a colonial where there is a 1st
and 2nd floor that is a combined living space. Visualize, if you
will, yourself walking up to a home that resembles a colonial you come up the
walkway, open the door and find yourself looking up a flight of stairs into the
kitchen… you have found yourself in the home of a raised ranch. You walk up the
flight of stairs and straight into the kitchen/dining room/ living room you
notice for a moment that there is a big open feel to the space. To the left you
see a small hallway in which the bedrooms and bathrooms are located.
If you get the gist of my little illustration the total
living area is located on one floor, usually what seems like the second floor.
The first floor is most often used as a basement, but is not submerged, in fact
there is no actual basement. This area may include the garage, or even be refinished
and used for additional living space.
The raised ranch style was born in the Boston area and made
is debut around 1945, becoming increasingly popular through the 80's. The
raised ranch never really went out of style, but because this model is so cost
effective to build they become increasingly popular when the economy has its
downturns and/or there is an abundance of buyers looking to get a great bang
for the buck.
Over the years a new breed of the raised ranch design has been born, that being what most of America knows as the split-level. The split level design is widely known across the New England area as the raised ranch, and you will find them anywhere and everywhere in New England. What technically makes them different is that with a split-level home the foundation and basement area is partially submerged leaving room above the ground level to incorporate windows into the basement area. From the entrance as you walk into the home you are given two choices: to walk down a small flight of stairs into the basement level or walk up a small flight of stairs into the living area. The advantages and disadvantages of the split-level versus the raised ranch go hand in hand and just depend on preference. The split-level is less likely equipped with a garage since the basement is partially submerged, the garage may be detached if included in the construction but is not likely with this design. Another advantage to some and disadvantage to others is the fact that there is a basement with a split-level home. Some enjoy the addition of storage space a basement entails and yet others may prefer a finished first floor with the traditional raised ranch style (which are usually built on a slab).
Over the years a new breed of the raised ranch design has been born, that being what most of America knows as the split-level. The split level design is widely known across the New England area as the raised ranch, and you will find them anywhere and everywhere in New England. What technically makes them different is that with a split-level home the foundation and basement area is partially submerged leaving room above the ground level to incorporate windows into the basement area. From the entrance as you walk into the home you are given two choices: to walk down a small flight of stairs into the basement level or walk up a small flight of stairs into the living area. The advantages and disadvantages of the split-level versus the raised ranch go hand in hand and just depend on preference. The split-level is less likely equipped with a garage since the basement is partially submerged, the garage may be detached if included in the construction but is not likely with this design. Another advantage to some and disadvantage to others is the fact that there is a basement with a split-level home. Some enjoy the addition of storage space a basement entails and yet others may prefer a finished first floor with the traditional raised ranch style (which are usually built on a slab).
No matter what your preference, or what you want to call it,
the raised ranch and the split level style home have one thing in common and
that is price! These styles are intended to compact living space by combining
the garage, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, dining and living room within a predefined
amount of square footage making it very cost effective for purchasers in any
market and financial situation.
