BUNGALOW:
Bungalows are one of the most common houses found in older neighborhoods and are characterized by simplicity and emphasis on horizontal rather than vertical lines.  These homes were ideal for the first-time home buyers because it was small, inexpensive to build, and often included built-in furniture.  The living room fireplace was usually large with a mantel and surrounded by brick, natural stone or tiles.  These features created a warm, homey atmosphere.  Different types of bungalows include California and Craftsman.

CAPE COD:
Cape Cod style house is usually rectangular shaped, one to one-and-one and half stories, and has a steeply pithed gable roof with a small overhang.  This style house includes living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms on the first floor. Two or more bedrooms and a bathroom are on the second floor.

COLONIAL:
Colonial styles are rectangular, symmetrical, two to two-and-one-half story house with windows arranged in a an orderly fashion around a central front door.  Living areas are on the first floor, with bedrooms on the second floor.  The windows usually have many small equally sized square panes and decorative shutters.  Typically, this house has two levels and an attic. Most have a center hall entry with a staircase on the right, living room on the left, a dining room behind the living room, and the kitchen next to the dining room. Often, there is a family room on the other side of the kitchen, as well. The second floor has two or more bedrooms off a center hall, and one or more bathrooms.  There are different styles within Colonial such as Colonial Revival, Georgian Colonial Revival,  Regency, Federal, Dutch Colonial Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival.

CONDOMINIUM/TOWNHOUSE:
A form of homeownership that combines individual ownership of one's unit with shared ownership of common facilities. Each owner has a separate mortgage for his/her individual unit and is individually responsible for making the payments on it and property taxes. An owner will also pay common charges on a monthly basis. An elected board of directors or a management company hired by the association is responsible for operation and management of all common facilities.

CONTEMPORARY:
Contemporary style houses are characterized by attractive, simple, clean lines and the combination of stone, glass, masonry, and wood in the exterior.  These asymmetrical houses can be one or more stories with a roof that is flat or very low-pitched.  Characterized by their unique, spacious, "one of a kind" designs that often feature "great rooms" with skylights, atriums, etc., these houses are dramatic expressions of the architect or the owner's personal vision.

HIGH RANCH:
Typically, this house has an entry of five or six steps leading into a foyer, with steps going up or down from there. Those going up usually lead to a living room and an "L" shaped dining room, adjoining kitchen, two or more bedrooms, and one or more bathrooms. The steps down lead to a den, and additional bedroom, utility room and a garage entrance.

MEDITERRANEAN:
The style is very popular in all price ranges and house sizes.  Look for white or light-colored stucco on the exterior and a red tiled gable roof with very little or no overhanging eaves.  Additional features include arched doorways and windows, courtyard entrances, patios, ornamental tile and wrought iron ornamentation.

MISSION:
Mission style house originated in California.  These houses are easily recognized by the round parapets on the roof that resemble those found on early Spanish colonial churches.  They are one to two stories, rectangular shaped, and have flat roofs with red tile accents.  Most Mission style houses have arched windows and a small courtyard entry with an arched front door.

RANCH:
Ranch style houses are one-story, rambling rectangular, L-shaped or U-shaped, with a low-pitch gable or hipped roof, attached garage, stucco, wood or brick exterior walls, picture windows and sliding doors leading to patios.  Due o the horizontal nature of the stye, these houses need wide lots.  Its main characteristic is that all living space is on one level. Entry is directly into the living room, with a separate or wraparound "L" shaped dining room to the rear. The kitchen sits alongside the dining room, also to the rear. A hallway entered from either the living room or the kitchen leads to the other side of the house where three or more bedrooms are located, as well as one or more bathrooms.

SPANISH RENEWAL:
Spanish revival will have red-tiled roofs, stucco siding, arched entryways and windows, and decorative tiles by the window and doors.

SPLIT LEVEL:
Split levels usually have three levels at varying heights.  The upper level is used for sleeping areas; the mid-level has he living room, dinning room, and kitchen, while the lower level has the family room, hobby or game rooms, laundry area, and the garage.  The split can be side-to-side or front to back, but each level always sits over another living area, or a garage. Entry is usually up to three steps into a hallway or foyer, with the living room to the right or left. In back of that is the dining room and adjoining kitchen. The steps lead to a hallway, of which there are two or more bedrooms and one or more bathrooms.

VICTORIAN STYLES:
A style of architecture used in Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria; characterized by massive construction and elaborate ornamentation.  Although the last true Victorian houses were built in 1900s, contemporary builders borrow Victorian ideas creating Neo-Victorians, as well as, Mansard, Queen Anne and Folk Victorian.