• L-shaped or U-shaped design- this is great for families and other get-togethers with friends.
• Open floor plans- making it more family friendly and flexible to your needs.
• Large windows- this brings out the outside light and nature.
• Unpretentious character- the rambler has an open feeling with its clean and simple lines of architecture.

Cons of building a rambler style home include:

• Needs a lot of land- land is expensive and hard to keep up. With the current "green" thinking ramblers are very unpopular because of the upkeep and the land it uses.
• Rambler styles can be too sterile- many believe the rambler style home is more a one size fits all approach. If you want more of an individual feel then a rambler style home is not for you.
• The open floor plans may not be conducive to your way of living.


• The next home style to discuss is the two story home. A two story home has two levels divided by stairs. There are two story ramblers available to build or a different type of a two story home.


• Pros of building a two story home include:
• A two story home is cheaper to build. You will pour less concrete for the foundation then you would for the same type of footage with a single level rambler style home.
• Same amount of square footage with less land. Since you are building up instead of out you will require less land for the same amount of house as a rambler style.
• Bedrooms can be kept separate from living areas. This gives all family members space and privacy when needed.
• More design choices for selection when looking at two story home plans. The inside design of your two story home can be varied from plan to plan. You have more working room for change then you would in a rambler style home.
• Can be built just about anywhere.

Cons of building a two story home include:

• Stairs can prove a problem for elderly couples or families with young kids.
• You may not have a lot of land. If that is important to you then you should not look at building a two story home.
• More walls that don't give an open feeling. If you like to be able to know where all your family members are then a two story home is not a good option for you.

Whether you build a rambler or a two story home is your own personal decision. Look at plans and existing homes of each style of home to give yourself more of an idea of why you may like or not like each style.