Home-Buying Process:
Factors to Consider in Housing Selection
Type and Style of House
The type and style of house you purchase are important. When considering type, ask yourself, “Am I looking for a newly constructed house, an existing house in an established neighborhood, a duplex, a patio house or a house in a planned development?”
Older houses vary in condition. Your time and remodeling abilities will influence whether you choose a fixer-upper or a house that is in the best possible condition for what you can afford.
Style names and types vary in different parts of the country and include Ranch, Colonial, Cape Cod, Santa Fe, Southwestern or Victorian. In New Mexico, it is common to see houses with a Southwest design made of stucco and adobe. Flat roofs also are common. Other choices related to style are single story, split level, split foyer and two story or more. In some areas of the country, basements are quite common, while in other areas they are not.
The type and style of home you desire can be factors in selecting a neighborhood. Not all types and styles are available in all neighborhoods.
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