Can you get more house for your money building a raised ranch or 2 story home?
Question:We are thinking about building a house and need to know what style home would be less expensive to build. A raised ranch or a 2-story? Thanks!
Answers:
There are SO many variables regarding your question. It really depends on where you plan to build.in the country away from everything? In a sub-division? Construction costs on new homes vary, depending on what part of the country you live in. All new homes will have a square-foot cost which generally starts at around $75 a square foot for a new home built and completed in a "move-in" condition when done. I'd take a look at the surrounding homes in the area where you plan to build - are most of them 2 story or "ranch" type. Also, you could take a look at what the surrounding homes have sold for in the past, that would give you an idea on the "better" way to go. Remember, if you are young, a 2 story home is fine, however the older you get, the less attractive trudging up and down stairs becomes. If you opt for a 2 story, one of the new things to consider is having the laundry room installed on the 2nd floor as opposed to the 1st floor or in the basement. It's much more convenient, and can be a real selling point should you sell in the future. Having the laundry room on the same floor as the bedrooms is being done more and more nowadays, and most builders offer it as a part of the new construction package. Remember - a 2 story will take up less space on your lot because the living area is spread out over 2 floors, a ranch house will have a larger "footprint" on your lot because the total living area is on one floor..lot size may determine which way you go as much as anything else whatwith set-back requirements, easements, etc.
it depends on which builder you use
A raised ranch ... going up costs money.
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