What is a Dipsy Split (states, kitchens, bedrooms, builder)
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I saw this term in a few real estate listings. Also spelled "Dipsey" and sometimes "Dipsy Doodle". What does it mean and where does it come from, anyone know?
A traditional split with have one staircase going to all levels. Say from entry up to living area and then up again to bedroom area.... and down from the entry to den etc.
A dipsy should not have a central staircase area going to all levels. It should have two or more.
I believe this a term that is common in New Jersey and parts of surrounding states to describe a specific type of split level -- the general features usually include an entrance slightly below street level, living room & kitchen a half story up from that, bedroom a half story up from that. This has the net effect of having the entrance and often garage at basically a basement level or "dipped" from the street.
There are often common configurations / variations on split levels that vary regionally / by builder -- most popular tend to have larger family rooms slightly below ground level, kitchens / living rooms a half level up and then bedrooms another half level up but there are some that split out bedrooms on various half levels, those that incorporate funky "Brady Bunch" elements like sunken living rooms / fireplace centered "conversation pits" and all manner or raised / separated dining spaces.
I had a home similar to that in OH and it was called a tri level. Looking at the front of the house. Bottom left side was kitchen, dining room, den, 1/2 bath, and laundry room (all on same level) with ground level exit from rec room to back patio and detached two car garage. Up 6 steps to a large living room level (with cathedral ceilings) and the front door entry. Up six more stairs to 3 bedrooms and two baths. This level was above the lower left level.
The shown house is a very strange layout especially with the attached garage???? on the right.
2 Kevin Road is the same as my own house (except mine's smaller), so I guess mine's a "dipsy" as well. Although my whole house is above street level.
Bottom level is the entry level, foyer front and center, a bedroom and bathroom in the front right, family room in right rear, kitchen center rear, dining room left rear. It's not obvious from the pictures but these are all the same level.
Middle level is the formal living room, with stairs down to foyer to the left and dining room to the rear, and up to the rest of the bedrooms (and 2 bathrooms) to the right.
Top floor bedrooms are over the family room and first floor bedroom; on 2 Kevin the top floor extends over the kitchen as well, while in mine it does not (there's a storage attic with a low roof there in mine; maybe they expanded theirs or maybe it was an option when built).
The garage is attached (entry from family room) but has a separate roof and no living area above it.
It's not a front/back as you can see the intermediate level from the front.
Whoa, those fishbowl-lens photos is making me dizzy!
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