[tango14]

We are looking at a home which is a raised ranch. We like the location, schools , commute to work etc and it is within our range. Half the living space is on the lower level. Hence even though it is 2000 sqft house, the upper living area is only around 1000sq ft and looks a little cramped. Is there a bias against raised ranches and will we have difficulty selling the house later on?

We have been house hunting for a while and we are realistic to understand that it,s hard to come by good houses in the location we are interested in for our budget. We are not too happy about the house but everything else fits. What would you do?

[jdhall1]

Pefectly fine in the Danbury area. Some of them can be done really nicely, with a good sized upstairs.

[Stylo]

They are fine for a budget and you can make them work. Some of the new ones being built are pretty nice. I'm not a fan of the style but they definitely offer a good amount of space for the money.

[andthentherewere3]

I'm not a fan of them either, you often lose storage space with that design. But a lot of people like them, and they are pretty common.

[Katarina Witt]

I don't mean to butt in, just saw this thread on the index. I had a friend who had one once, said it was like having two ranch houses. Not my fave, but if all else is good, go for it!

[KH02]

I will say that I think they are harder to sell, because there are many on the market at any one time and they are all pretty much the exact same in floorplan. So it takes a lot to have yours set apart from others. Also, I lived in one for years and the storage was non existent and the bedrooms were all tiny. I wouldn't live in one again... not for me.

[gilfman]

I had one in Ridgefield when I was single. There is a bias against them. I did manage to sell my in less than a week 11 years ago for a nice price. I don't think it went up in value since then but the taxes the doubled.

[ctkanes]

Resale also depends on the neighborhood. If it is a town or neighborhood with a lot of other raised ranches, you should have no trouble selling as long as you take care of it. However, if it is in an established neighborhood of Capes, Tudors, Colonials, and Victorians, it will be more difficult to sell and will sell for much less than other styles of homes.

[jjinla]

I personally hate them as they have zero charm, but they are a cheap entry point into the housing market. Where we are, they are the least desirable style behind a split so yes, you will have a smaller buying pool on the back end.

For me, it just feels like living in an apartment upstairs, with a large basement (and sometimes extra BR) downstairs.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by tango14

Is there a bias against raised ranches and will we have difficulty selling the house later on?

Generally speaking, the only style less popular than a raised ranch in FFC would be a contemporary. Split levels are equal to, or perhaps even slightly more desirable than, a raised ranch in this area.