| One of the most popular homes in America today is | | | | production techniques led to ranch homes becoming |
| the Ranch House Plan. This plan was developed and | | | | ordinary and cheap for the average consumer. That |
| made popular by Cliff May. The first Ranch house | | | | does not mean however that all ranch homes are |
| built by May was in San Diego, California in 1932. | | | | ordinary or cheap. Ranch homes planned a large role |
| Because of their birth place ranch style is also | | | | in the creation of sub divisions. As automobiles more |
| referred to ad California Ranch. The ranch style home | | | | and more popular the need to live in the city became |
| takes its cues from Spanish Colonial, Prairie and | | | | less necessary. Large sprawling sub divisions were |
| Craftsman style. Cliff May liked the Frank Lloyd | | | | created with these spread out 1 story homes. Ranch |
| Wrights Prairie homes. With such strong influences | | | | style homes gave birth to a few other home plans. |
| taken from Mr. Wright's designs you might call Mr. | | | | The split level home, and the raised ranch are the |
| Wright the grandfather of the ranch home. A ranch | | | | two most common. These homes now fill the |
| home incorporates sprawling rectangular, u-shape or | | | | market. That makes them affordable for a first time |
| L-shaped footprints. They are normally 1 story | | | | buyer. Retired home owners are also flocking to |
| homes. The floor plan is probably open and informal. | | | | these home plans. Because of the 1 level living and |
| The homes lack ornate outer appearances. For the | | | | wide open floor plans it makes these homes easy to |
| most part they have simple exteriors with possibly a | | | | move around and the best choice for handicap |
| few shutters. Natural materials are heavily used in | | | | equipment such as walkers or wheelchairs. If you are |
| these homes. Materials like oak floors and wood or | | | | a first time buyer the ranch house may be at top of |
| brick exteriors are found in homes of this type. | | | | your list for availability and price. You can find these |
| Ranch homes became extraordinarily affordable for | | | | homes with simple cost effective features that make |
| soldiers returning home from World War II. Mass | | | | them easy to navigate and maintain. |