The Comeback Kid

One of the most popular home styles selling today may surprise you. It’s not the trendy farmhouse. It’s not modern. In fact, it hasn’t been popular since the height of the ’60s and ’70s, but it is quietly making a comeback. In 34 states across the country, the ranch home is the most popular home style for sale, according to a 2017 study by real estate website, Trulia. And in 2019, Google reported that “Ranch style house” was the number one, most searched home style from April 2018 to April 2019.  

Originating in California during the 1930s, ranch homes became the standard for modern living after World War II when new suburbs popped up across the country to accommodate the influx of young families. Due to design, ranch homes were cheap and easy to build, making them perfect for housing developments in all 50 states. 

Today, ranch homes are still affordable. Known for an open floor plan, single floor design, attached garage and smaller square-footage, ranch-style homes make great starter homes for millennials, as well as safer homes for aging baby boomers which may account for a rise in popularity. The modestly-sized homes are also popular with renovators and flippers who have combined the vaulted ceilings and open spaces of mid-century modern designs with minimalistic Scandinavian inspirations, bold dramatic color combinations and natural hardwoods. Ranch exteriors have also been given a facelift, with corrugated metal, shiplap siding, decorative stone, Arts and Crafts doors and widened sidewalks and stoops. 

Retailers can stay on top of demand for renovation supplies by learning more about this popular home style.

For helpful tips to pass on to ranch renovators, read these secrets from realtor.com.

For a gallery of the latest ranch home makeovers, visit HGTV.         

For the history of ranch homes, check out this interesting article from House Beautiful.