After making the decision to buy a house, you should get preapproved for a loan. Once you do this, you will be ready to look at homes for sale, and you will need to start thinking about what you want in a home. If you are trying to determine whether you should choose a ranch home or a two-story, you may want to consider these factors as you make your decision.
Your age
One thing many people consider when trying to decide between a ranch and a two-story is their age. While your age does not limit you from buying one or the other, it often causes people to choose one or the other. For example, people who are older often prefer choosing ranch homes over two-stories, simply because they do not want to have to walk up and down steps. Climbing steps can get harder for people as they age, and they can be a risk to have in a home. If you are young and just starting off, a two-story home might be a good option, though.
Kids vs. no kids
People also typically factor in their family type when trying to choose a ranch or two-story home. For example, a lot of people who have young kids will try to avoid buying a house with stairs, simply because stairs can be dangerous for young kids. Other people with small kids want a two-story home because two-story homes often offer more space in terms of bedrooms and living space, and some families need the extra space for their children.
Privacy
The other factor you might want to think about is privacy. With a ranch home, all the bedrooms will be on one floor with all the other living space. This typically means there is less privacy. With a two-story home, you might be able to obtain more privacy, especially if you find one that has the master bedroom on the main floor and the other bedrooms upstairs. If privacy matters to you, a two-story home is often the better choice.
It's also important to know that you could keep your options open to either a ranch or a two-story home. You do not have to decide on one before you shop, especially if you are not really sure which would be the best option for you. You can also talk to a real estate agent to learn more about making the right choice when buying a house.