What styles of homes are for sale in the Twin Cities? One of our experienced agents put together a list of 7 popular styles common in our area. Let us know if you would like to start touring homes today!
1. Victorian
The name refers to a time period in the mid- to late-1800’s but has also come to be associated with the following characteristics:
- 2-3 stories
- Tall ceilings and windows
- Ornate exteriors:
- Steep, gabled roofs
- Towers & Turrets
- Highly decorative woodwork
- Bold paint colors
- Hardwood floors
- Intricate trim and moulding
Twin Cities Victorian homes are extraordinarily complex in design, inside you’ll find countless rooms and extravagant staircases. If you’re hoping for a library, den, office, and bedrooms all on one level? This might be the house style for you. These homes are very vertical, compared to a bungalow's horizontal footprint.
2. Bungalow
Bungalows are everywhere in the Twin Cities! There's even Twin Cities Bungalow Club! This style of home is typically 1 to 1.5 stories, built in the early 1900’s, with a front porch and overhanging roof–sometimes with exposed rafters! Inside a Twin Cities bungalow you’ll usually find the ever-coveted:
- Oak woodwork
- Built-ins
- Archway between the dining and living room
Twin Cities bungalows were built during the Arts & Crafts Movement. Put simply – architects, designers and craftsmen worked together to bring back the craftsmanship that was largely lost during the Industrial Revolution–and they wanted to do it in a way that was affordable to the average American family.
An important aspect that’s often overlooked by buyers when house hunting is that bungalows were built with old growth lumber–which is exorbitantly expensive (or impossible) to purchase nowadays. With regular maintenance, these homes can withstand the test of time.
3. Rambler or Ranch-style
Rambler homes made their debut after WWII when more, and more Americans were able to buy cars and the neighborhoods started sprawling. With larger lot sizes, came larger house footprints. Ramblers typically have:
- One-story
- Picture Windows
- Sliding Patio Doors
- Often rectangular or L-shaped
- Basement - finished & unfinished
Twin Cities ramblers are great for all stages of life– new families enjoy them because they can be near their young children, while “aging-in-place” with one-story living is highly sought after.
4. Tudor
Tudor homes in the Twin Cities are well designed for the northern climate with extensive rain and snow. They feature:
- Extravagant doorways
- Steep, gabled roof
- Decorative chimney
Twin Cities tudors started popping up in the early 1900’s and were true to the era with dark woodwork and fairytale like design. Due to the exteriors of the tudor home being asymmetrical, architects could get creative with the interior layout and window placement.
5. Split Level
Split levels are interesting houses, and it seems that people either love them or hate them. A split-level house is characterized by:
- Staggered floor levels
- 3+ floors connected by a short flight of stairs
- Often have attached garages
Twin Cities split-level houses gained popularity in the 1960’s and 1970’s. They are most commonly built with the kitchen, dining and living rooms on the main floor, up a half-staircase you’ll find the bedrooms, and downstairs is typically a recreation room, laundry, etc. Each split-level house is different, so you may find extra bedrooms downstairs as well. We may see a resurgence of split-level homes as work from home has become a reality of life for many people. A split-level home may offer you extra space away from the hustle and bustle of the main living area.
6. Two-Story
Two-story homes are great for families that want bedrooms on the second floor and main living areas on the main floor. These homes typically have a smaller footprint than one-story homes, with double the square footage.
- A smaller foundation and roof area compared to 1-story homes can mean more energy efficient and less impact on your utility bills--which is a huge part of homeownership in the Twin Cities.
Compared to bungalow homes, two-story homes typically have full height walls on the second story compared to the bungalows that have knee walls. Knee walls come up around three feet high and then meet the ceiling where the roof angles to the center of the house.
7. Modern
Twin Cities modern homes are popping up all over the metro area. They feature
- Geometric lines
- Simple shapes
- Expansive windows
- Open concept floor plans
While Minneapolis has the lead on modern homes over Saint Paul, with the new Highland Bridge project developing in Highland Park, modern homes have the opportunity to be built along the Mississippi River. Modern homes in the Twin Cities go in the opposite direction of Victorian style homes. A modern home avoids the intricate details of Victorian homes through its asymmetrical design and “no-frills” style.
any questions you have about buying your dream home.
One of our Twin Cities realtors will be in touch as soon as possible.
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