Jackie Craven is a freelance writer who covers architecture and home design for About.com and other publications. You can e-mail her atinfo@jackiecraven.comor visit her online athttp://jackiecraven.com/.
Andrea Palladio is to architecture what Julia Child is to cooking. Palladio's theories play an important role in the design of all types of buildings, including small houses you might dismiss as ordinary. To see the Renaissance architect's influence in your listings, look for these features.
The housing styles we think of as Spanish actually embrace the entire Mediterranean world and beyond, resulting in amazing variety. You'll find Spanish ideas expressed in each of these very different styles.
Any home can have French accents. However, some North American house styles were directly inspired by buildings found in Paris and the pastoral French countryside. To find out whether your listings have a French heritage, look for the telling features of these styles.
Phrases like Art Nouveau and Art Deco describe movements, or approaches to design, that became popular in the early twentieth century and helped shape the types of houses we build today. Although the names are similar, each "artsy' style has a distinct look and feel—and a very special appeal for your prospective buyers.
Victorian houses are like snowflakes, with no two exactly alike. There are, however, several important types, each with its own distinct features. As you review your listings, look for these popular Victorian styles.
Because they are so common, American Foursquare houses are easy to overlook. However, there's more to the them than meets the eye. To entice your prospective buyers, share some of these important Foursquare facts.
An aura of romance surrounds America's mail-order homes. During the first decades of the 20th century, these houses were a practical solution for buyers on a budget. Today, even the most humble mail-order cottage is likely to command a higher selling price than you might expect.
A true colonial is a home from one of America's original 13 colonies or outlying territories. However, many newer homes incorporate ideas from America's colonial past. When you point out the colonial features, you bring to light fascinating pieces of our architectural heritage.
Recent trends in new-home construction are helping buyers realize their dreams. The most popular floor plans offer flexibility, adaptability, and plenty of room to grow. As you and your prospective buyers explore the possibilities, watch for these enticing floor-plan trends that are increasing in popularity.
Whether composed of slate, tile, wood, metal, or modern composites, the roof defines the personality of the house. Often, you will be able to identify the home's overall architectural style simply by observing two key features: shape and pitch.
The variety of windows manufactured today is staggering. However, the emotional appeal of windows comes not from their engineering but their artistry. Ask yourself these four questions to shed light on your listings' windows and intelligently discuss their inherent beauty to prospective buyers.
Every house, no matter how plain, has a style. Style comes in part from ornamental details like columns and moldings and in part from structural features, such as the placement of the windows and the pitch of the roof. Yet, identifying that style can be a baffling process.
