ARCHITECTURAL STYLES AND FUNCTIONAL UTILITY

ARCHITECTURAL STYLES AND FUNCTIONAL UTILITY

It is essential for an appraiser to have a working knowledge of building design and construction. Good basic
design of both interior and exterior has a decided effect on the marketability of real estate. There is no substitute
for appropriate materials and proper proportions and scale. The appraiser should be aware of imitations and new
plastic replacements.

To achieve maximum value, architectural style and design should be related to the site. A typical stable
neighborhood should be improved with homes of approximately the same size, age and style. A house that has
an architectural style extremely foreign to its surroundings tends to encounter difficulty when offered for sale.

Or a home meets resistance in the market because of its style, which places it within a definite age group. Thus,
if a certain style of architecture has lost its appeal because public taste has changed, this trend will have an
adverse effect on value. Both real estate brokers and appraisers must be familiar with home styles and know the
effect on value of misplaced styles. The appraiser must also be alert to resurgence of older properties in public
acceptance.

This section: contains brief descriptions of various architectural styles in single family homes; explains how to
determine quality of construction; and defines functional utility and its effect on marketability.

Architectural Styles

Colonial. Cape Cod and Cape Ann styles are: generally quite small in size - minimum with good taste;
symmetrical-windows balanced on both sides of front door; either one or one and one-half stories with little
head room upstairs; fairly steep gable or gambrel roof covered with wood shingles; and exterior of wood siding.

New England Colonial. A square or rectangular, box-like structure having: maximum usable space;
symmetrical windows balanced on both sides of front door; either two or two and one-half stories; gable roof
covered with wood shingles; exterior of wood generally painted white; and impressive front entrance usually
with transom fan of glass above the door.

Dutch Colonial. A moderate-sized home generally not more than 50 feet wide, with a symmetrical front
having: an entrance at the center, balanced by the windows; low-sweeping gambrel roof; exterior generally of
stone; and either one and one-half story with dormer windows or two and one-half stories with dormer
windows.

Georgian and Southern Colonial. These styles have elaborate front entrances with plain or fluted columns; are
generally of brick or wood; have prominent gabled roofs, often hipped; are very symmetrical; require large plots
of land; large scale, not suitable for a small house; and either two, two and one-half or three stories.

English Elizabethan. This style has gothic refined lines with molded stone around windows and doors;
generally of brick, stucco, or stone; steep pitched roof, covered with slate or shingle; usually leaded metal
casement windows; and requires a large building site.

English Half-Timber. This style has protruding timber faces with stucco between the faces; lower story of
heavy masonry; steep pitched roof; generally two stories; and requires a large lot area.

Regency. A generally symmetrical style with front entrance in center; exterior of brick or stone; shutters on
each side of windows; low hipped roof; two stories in height; and octagonal window on second floor over front
door.

French Provincial. Usually a large house on a sizable plot, masonry exterior walls with very high roofs; large
high windows with long shutters; and one and one-half or two and one-half stories.

French Normandy. Generally has turrets at entry; walls of brick or stone; unsymmetrical; and steep pitched
shingle roof.

True Spanish. Enclosed patios; red mission tiled roof; wrought iron decorations; and stucco walls (usually
white).

Small California Spanish. Stucco exterior; flat composition roof with mission tile trim in the front; suitable for
small lots; no patio; and one story only.

Monterey Spanish. Two stories; stucco (generally white); red mission tiled roof; second story balconies; and
decorative iron railings.

Modern and Contemporary. Generally one story; usually flat or low pitched roof; often on concrete slab;
large amount of glass; and indoor/outdoor living.

California Bungalow or Ranch House. One story; stucco with wood trim; often on concrete slab; shingle or
shake roof; low and rambling; generally attached garage; and indoor/outdoor living.

ROOF TYPES.