What level of house is better?

When you’re looking for a home for you and your family, you may want to consider what’s best for your situation, single story or two story. You can also think of a house with a foundation as one of your considerations.

When it comes to the differences between these types of houses, there are many things to consider. A single level home is highly desirable for many types of buyers. As a homebuyer at or near retirement age, a single level is often the best option available. Stairs can be very difficult, if not impossible, for some of these shoppers to manage, especially on a daily basis. This can often be an option for some if the master bedroom is on the main level, which eliminates having to climb the stairs on a regular basis.

Single level homes will also save on utility costs when it comes to air conditioning. Cooling a one-story house is generally less expensive than cooling a two-story house because heat rises and the air conditioner has to work harder to keep the house cool. These homes will also take up more of the lot’s land, giving you less space for landscaping or a pool. In warmer parts of the country, a single story is preferred over a two story and will fetch a higher price per square foot at an appraisal.

Two-story houses are always popular too for many reasons. The construction cost is lower, which helps the buyer to buy a larger house for less money. When you need a really big house, a two-story or one with a basement may be the only option for many areas because land is expensive and not much is available. Just think about how much space a forty-five hundred square foot home needs if it’s single level. Many areas simply won’t support that type of land for a home. Builders can build multiple houses on the same amount of land as a large one, thus making more money with multiple houses.

Basements are common in some of the northern states, but in the warmer southern states they don’t seem to be as common. They’re starting to grow in population because it’s cooler underground, so it’s easier to pay the air conditioning bill. The ground is very hard in these drier states and that’s probably a good reason many builders don’t have the option of a basement. It simply costs less to build than to dig.

Decide what’s best for you and your family and happy shopping from home!