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The older I get, the more I am glad we have a rambling ranch (2400 sf). At one time, I wanted a 2 story colonial with pillars out in front. However, my knees are thankful that I don't have to go up and down everyday on stairs. Also, much easier to move large pieces of furniture including 2 big grand pianos.
Split entries, or raised ranches (not common term around here) are popular. The only style that seems to have held out since the mega mansion took over. Around here people like them because it lets them have a somewhat usable basement. Most around here have a bedroom on the lower level which is often occupied by the family teenager. In a pinch, some people have even rented it out. The style makes a lot of sense where you have hills, you can save money on the basement costs. Some also have a third story , so it is really a three level house.
Location: Stuck on the East Coast, hoping to head West
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Like everyone else has said, that house would be a raised ranch in my area. Split-level would be where you walk into a lobby area and then have to go up or down.
Re raised ranch: Not my cup of tea. I would never deal with entry stairs again. I had them when my family was young and carrying things (groceries, children, helping small children or aging parents) up and down those stairs was so inconvenient. Add ice & snow = no.
re split-level: No. I don't like the choppy lay-out. And the lobby area really seems like wasted space. Also, if you have any kind of injury, stairs are bad. I'm getting ready to sell my colonial (only one flight of stairs) for a ranch for that very reason.
I'd carefully check re-sale value. In my area, the split-levels and raised ranch always go for less than the colonials. However, they could very well be a reason to buy one---you can get into a great neighborhood at a reduced price in my area.
Have a crawl space around four feet below grade level, then a den/laundry around two feet below grade area, attached garage at ground level, florida room three steps up from garage, main floor a step up from there, then two beds, one bath up from there, the master bedroom up again, then on top the attic.
While no expert I have had 2 homes that have levels:
1. You walked in the front door and were confronted with about 4 steps up to one level which had 3 beds, two baths, living room, dining room, kitchen, door to a screen porch. 4 steps down and you had a bathroom, laundry room, bedroom, den, entrance to a two car garage. I called this a split entry. I liked this arrangement as the lower level was my son's area.
2. You walked in the front door and you were in the living room. 4 steps down to dining room, kitchen, den, 1/2 bath, laundry room. 4 steps up to 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. It had a detached two car garage. I called this a tri-level.
I grew up in a 5 level house. Walked up a few steps to the front door, which opened onto the main floor with kitchen/LR/DR, down a half flight to family room/den/powder room/garage, down another half flight to the basement including laundry. Heading up from the main floor was up a half flight to master BR/master BA/2nd bed/2nd bath and then up another half flight to a large attic bedroom.
It felt like a nice open floor plan at the time, although now I can't imagine having that many stairs between the bedrooms and the laundry. I'm not opposed to stairs, I'm in a traditional 2 story with a basement, so I'm still up and down stairs multiple times a day, but not as many as a 5 level split!
to the OP, if you don't have stairs once you are inside, that doesn't sound like a split level so I'm kind of confused? But split level houses were very common where I grew up and people managed even with a broken leg (most of the time, you can get up and down stairs on crutches). Obviously it would not be a home for someone who was permanently unable to walk, but I don't know that it makes sense to limit yourself to houses that meet worst case scenarios and not what your current life involved.
If you are talking about a TRUE split level - (a side split level) I am a fan.
In a side split (usually just called a split, because they were the most common type) You walk into a foyer, to one side is the LR, behind it, a dining room, straight ahead, the kitchen. Up about 5 stairs a full bath, and usually 3 bedrooms.
Back to the foyer, if you go down about 5 other stairs, there is a large finished family room, a 1/2 bath, and a back door to the patio area. The family room is not "below grade". In the higher end ones, there was another staircase to an unfinished basement. There could also be another bedroom or office.
I think they have a somewhat open floor plan. Generally, hardwood floors, and a cathedral cieling. Most of them had large picture windows in the living room.
I have never encountered a dark or dreary split level. Another aspect that I like, is the grade level family room. I lived in one from 1959-1966. My parents starter house. In the summers when we were playing at one another's houses, we could enter through the the back door if we wanted to play indoors - or use the bathroom - without encountering a parent.
I think it's a great layout for younger families. Our next house was a "stately colonial" (my parents term for it) It was not nearly as spacious "feeling" nor as conducive to children - or teens - as was the split.
There are other types of splits California, Front to back, and Colonial Splits.
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