Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

For people who own a high ranch, can you tell me why you love/hate it. We put in an offer on a home that has everything we THINK we want, but I am hear a lot of negative feedback on high ranches.

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

Good friends of mine have one and I LOVE it. It is a perfect layout for kids and entertaining. Upstairs they have 3 bedrooms, kitchen, living room. It is perfect for when the kids are napping, you can be in the kitchen and still be close. There is no running up and down the stairs all the time (we have this in our colonial and I hate it).

It is great for entertaining because downstairs they have a HUGE den, fireplace, bar, second small kitchen, bathroom, 4th bedroom for guests, playroom and it all leads out to a covered patio. It is so nice because ALL of their kids stuff is downstairs and it doesn't feel like a basement at all because it is level with the ground.

The ONLY negative I see with the layout would be carrying groceries in - because you would always have to carry them upstairs. But I am lazy. I honestly love the layout so much more than my colonial! Best of luck to you!!!

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

My ILs live in a high ranch and DH and I lived with them for a few years. From my experience, I think high ranches are on the inconvenient side. Some examples: Any time you have to bring in shopping bags, you have to shlep them up stairs. Any new furniture you get has to be maneuvered up stairs. There isn't a lot of space to entertain (depending on the size, I guess). It could be troublesome if you have any elderly or disabled guests over (DH once had to carry his grandpa down the stairs). If you want to BBQ, you have to carry everything out and then everything back in. In my IL's case, they have a mother/daughter, so their only access to the back yard is through the front door.

There are advantages to a high ranch, of course, like having a first floor "basement" of sorts, the opportunity to have an income property, all bedrooms are "up" and on the same level.

The cons outweighed the pros for us though, so we did not even consider a high ranch.

That's JMO of course. Everyone has different likes, wants & needs. Good luck with your search!

Message edited 6/27/2012 11:49:19 PM.

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

It is on a cul-de-sac (this is huge for us) in the school district we reallly desire, it is just enough room for us (2,000sq ft) gorgeous forest like backyard, two decks (upper n lower), CAC, needs enough reno to make it our own, i want to do my own kitchen, but the bones are good. It is in our budget! Those are the pros. Cons are I wanted a craftsman or colonial, and can't help feel like I am settling simply bc I don't "see" a high ranch as my forever home (which DH insists this will be our last move "i want to be buried in the backyard") I don't mind no basement, we have a garage and utility room. Basements get flooded and creep me out, plus as for a kids playroom, basements feel too far away. So i am ok with no basement.

I just did a search on here, and there were so many response "ill take ANY kind of house EXCEPT a high ranch, hate those!" sigh I;m not sure what I am missing

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

I never liked high ranches b/c of the stairs but here I am, 8 months into owning one and I love it. The stairs are annoying however ours has a unique layout b/c our house is on the top of a hill. There are steps to get to the front entrance but once you walk in there aren't any more steps. Everything but the basement is on one level Also we have a deck off the kitchen with only a couple of steps to the yard. Our finished basement is mostly above ground w/ full windows and garage access.

Honestly I almost didn't want to look at our house when I saw it was a high ranch but I went in with an open mind and I am so happy I did. I love my house.

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

Our house is a high ranch and I hate the layout. Negatives--
1-the downstairs area- We never ever use the downstairs den area. I've been here 10 years and still don't even know what to call it, other than "the downstairs area". It's where our crap collects. We don't have kids, but I could see how that area could be useful. It's also where the fireplace is...the one we haven't used since 2002.

2-groceries up stairs- It's a lot of work to carry the bags up the stairs.

3-Main bathroom is also guest bathroom. We have 2.5 baths--.5 downstairs, 1 full main, 1 full (teeny tiny) master. The main full bath is also the bathroom guests use, so we always have to have our products away and organized--might not be a problem for some ppl, but for me, it is a pain.

4-summer entertaining is such a hassle!! We have a 2nd story deck off the dining room (kitchen is in the front of the house). That's where our grill is. It's a medium-sized deck that has stairs down to the patio. When we have ppl over for a bbq, ppl tend to sit up on the deck around the table, not downstairs on the huge patio. So if we have more than 10 ppl over, it's cramped and uncomfortable. We could move the grill and table downstairs, but with the kitchen upstairs, who wants to make 20 trips up to the kitchen while you're serving and cleaning?

The positives are pretty much what others have said--whole house above ground, garage access, view from kitchen and living rooms kinda nice from the 2nd floor. Good thing I love my location and yard.

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

Here's what I hear/see as an agent (there are a lot of hi ranches where I work on the south shore of Nassau).

Cons:

A lot of people don't like the fact that you have to walk up stairs to get in the house, and that you have to walk up or down stairs when you get in.

Some people don't find the outside aesthetically pleasing (I've heard people say it looks like a big box). It's more of a 1960s-1980s style house, but some new construction companies in my area build new construction hi ranch models as well as the ever desirable center hall colonials.

Some people don't like the layout - separateness of the "bi level" (hi ranches are actually called bi levels in other parts of the country). They feel like when you are upstairs, you are totally disconnected from the downstairs, and vice versa, so there's no "flow."

Kitchens in most hi ranches (that haven't been drastically renovated) tend to be small.

No access from main level of the house directly into the backyard where kids may be playing. Some houses have a high deck off of the kitchen or dining area, but that still blocks the view and access to the lower, grassy level of the yard.

It's rare to find a master bath in a hi ranch. Most weren't built that way. I see a lot of "dual entrances" -- there's a door from the hall to the bath and also a door from the master to the same hall bath.

Pros:

Because of the layout, it's ideal for income potential, which many people want in my area (because of high property taxes).

It's also great for a mother-daughter set up or a large family (with older kids, for example), because there is usually at least one bedroom and bath on the lower level.

A wideline hi ranch (as opposed to an inline hi ranch) tends to be a large house with a lot of living area.

You usually have a large family room/rec room on the lower level, as opposed to the upper level.

Family room usually has access - via sliders - to the yard.

There's usually an attached garage, unless it's converted to living space.

It's a popular style in areas south of Merrick Rd - it's a practical layout for down by the water where you can't have a basement.

Message edited 6/28/2012 7:34:21 AM.

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

I love high ranches! I don't mind a few stairs. I lived in a 4th floor walk up in the city. Now those were stairs! The layout is great. The downstairs den is so spacious.

Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

My ILs have a high ranch in Seaford, below Merrick Rd. and DH and I are hoping to take it off their hands one day.

Living in a tiny cape-style house close to the water, with a basement that floods and smells as a result, I definitely see the advantages of going this route instead.

Friends of ours who had our style house also recently sold and bought a high ranch and love it.

My ILs watch DS and his cousins and the downstairs is the area they watch them in all day, and it has perfect access to the backyard for them to play.

Also DHs grandparents used to live there and just accessed the downstairs from the back of the house.

His aunt also lives in a high ranch and when his other grandparents were alive, one used a wheelchair and accessed the downstairs living space from the garage.

It's not that inconvient. You make it work.

Message edited 6/28/2012 7:55:09 AM.

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

My aunt had a high ranch and I always found it limited in space. If I fell in love with one it would have to have a basement for storage, but on the other side of things, maybe I wouldn't keep so much junk lol

I also found the bedrooms to be really small, but there are high ranches that are smaller than others.

I liked how the downstairs part was the family room and it was huge for us to play. Hers wasn't open, upstairs, but I like how you have the option to open everything up.

My ideal house is a colonial too, we have a split which has stairs everywhere, but if you LOVE the house then go for it, no house will be perfect.

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

my sister has a high ranch and i like it! we are in a split so the "few" stairs don't phase me. I love that all living is basically done on one floor. Its almost like a ranch with bonus living space below!

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

we have a high ranch and i absolutely love it.

i would rather walk up the front steps with groceries once a week then run up and down the steps inside the house 50 times a day to access the bedrooms bathroom etc.

we have a completely redone kitchen with an open layout upstairs... no walls between kitchen living room and dining room. its GREAT for entertaining. we have all holidays here with 20ish people every time.

downstairs we have a "man cave" big TV, wood burning fireplace, tredmill, bar and 1/2 bath.
we converted the 2 car garage into living space and rent it for 1150 a month. (tax money!!)

if you have any specific questions feel free to FM me. i can link you to my pics so you can see the layout of the upstairs.

good luck!

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

I've been in my hi-ranch for a year now and I love it.

The stairs don't phase me at all. I've also lived in a 4th floor walk up. I kind of like them b/c it's give me a chance to exercise when I'm bringing groceries in But honestly I don't buy that much in a shopping trip that it ever takes me more than 2 trips to get it in. If you live in a colonial you must go up and down the steps at least twice a day right?

I have a 13 month old DS so I love having his BR on the same level as our living area. It's so convenient for naps, diaper changes etc.

In the fall we plan on making our lower level a giant entertainment/playroom. I think this will be so great for DS to have lots of room to play and then his toys won't be ALL over the house. We have a full bath down there too, and a door to the backyard. So it'll be a great place for him to grow into and have friends over when he's older.

As with any house there are of course cons. For me they are-

No master bath. Right now, since DS is young it doesn't bother me that much. But when he's older and if we have more kids it could be a problem.

It is sometimes frustrating that you have to go upstairs from the grass to get to kitchen. But we don't do a lot of entertaining and our deck has enough space for an 8 person table. So it's only a pain if we have a big party, which we've done once in a year.

Our laundry is in the garage. It's just a bit inconvenient and sure I'd love it upstairs, but it doesn't bother me that much that I would move because of it.

If you love the house, get it. Don't let other people's negativity phase you. My house is also on a corner, which many people here said they wouldn't buy, but I love that aspect of it as well. It's all about your family's lifestyle and needs.

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

Posted by whateverLOLAwants

we have a high ranch and i absolutely love it.

i would rather walk up the front steps with groceries once a week then run up and down the steps inside the house 50 times a day to access the bedrooms bathroom etc.

we have a completely redone kitchen with an open layout upstairs... no walls between kitchen living room and dining room. its GREAT for entertaining. we have all holidays here with 20ish people every time.

downstairs we have a "man cave" big TV, wood burning fireplace, tredmill, bar and 1/2 bath.
we converted the 2 car garage into living space and rent it for 1150 a month. (tax money!!)

if you have any specific questions feel free to FM me. i can link you to my pics so you can see the layout of the upstairs.

good luck!

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

While looking for houses I was open to anything. I grew up in a ranch, my first house was an extended ranch and the house I am contract in on now is a ranch. I like the open layout, especially when having company. The high ranch wouldnt have a basement right? I saw a few that I really liked a lot, were in great shape and the price was right but I found them very broken up. I guess its really your preference. When my children were young I wanted no steps. Now that they are older Id like to have a place we can all separate for a while LOL So its just really your preference. Good luck!!!

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

When we were looking for a house, I told my DH that I would look at anything but a high ranch. He was fine with one, but I want to be able to walk out my back door and be in the backyard - not up on a deck. We knew we had to buy in Commack (I call it the land of the high ranch - there are so many of them there) - but we found a colonial that we both love. Also, our real estate agent told us that high ranches are generally harder to sell (and I see that some high ranches that were for sale when we started looking (last fall) are still up for sale. That being said, I can see how a high ranch could really work for some families, especially if you have kids and will make use of the downstairs as a playroom/family room.

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

We have a high ranch and i love it - i wanted a colonial but it works so well for us

we opened ours up - so when you go up the stairs - there is an open kitchen an informal dining area and a living room - then down the hall is a guest full bath and 2 kids bedrooms and the master suite

it is so easy to change the kids put laundry away, while the kids are in the living room. WE just lock the gate at the top of the stairs and the kids go whereever it is all safe for them.

i even shower with my son watching tv in the living room because he come get me with no problem.

it is just so easy. -we keep some bigger toys downstairs - like the kitchen and ball pit and it gives them a different place to play but we live on the main floor.

Our high ranch is built into a hill so our patio is right outside the kitchen

i like that the guest bedroom is separate from our living area - great for inlaws or live-in help

with little kids it makes life so much easier. i do not feel like i am running up and down stairs constantly - like i did when we lived in my parents colonaial as we were renovating this house.

because i use cloth - i almost always use my changign table to change my kids and it is just down the hall

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

I grew up living in a high ranch. 3 BR's kitchen LR DR and bath upstairs, Den, 4th bedroom, 2nd bath and laundry downstairs. It didn't really bother me any, the only thing is that we didn't have a basement but we used the 4th bedroom downstairs as our "playroom".

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

Posted by whateverLOLAwants

we have a high ranch and i absolutely love it.

i would rather walk up the front steps with groceries once a week then run up and down the steps inside the house 50 times a day to access the bedrooms bathroom etc.

we have a completely redone kitchen with an open layout upstairs... no walls between kitchen living room and dining room. its GREAT for entertaining. we have all holidays here with 20ish people every time.

downstairs we have a "man cave" big TV, wood burning fireplace, tredmill, bar and 1/2 bath.
we converted the 2 car garage into living space and rent it for 1150 a month. (tax money!!)

if you have any specific questions feel free to FM me. i can link you to my pics so you can see the layout of the upstairs.

good luck!

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

sent u FM

Message edited 6/28/2012 10:48:49 PM.

Re: Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

We don't have a high ranch but have neighbors that do. To me the biggest con is when you have kids playing outside. I love that I can easily see my kids playing outside even when they are running between my house and the neighbors house and I don't have to be out there for hours. My neighbors always feel like they have to be outside b/c they can't see anything from way up high. That is a BIG con for me personally.

Pros and Cons of a High Ranch ?

I grew up in one and my parents are still in it. My husband also grew up in one and his parents are still there as well. Because of this it never occurred to me that people didn't like them until this board!! My parents' house is on the smaller side so sure, space can be an issue, but my in laws' house is enormous. They essentially have the same layout (wideline) but one is about twice the size of the other (3 bed 2 bath 1 car garage versus 5 bed 3 bath 2 car garage). I have never found the stairs to be an issue really... Love the upper level decks they both have off the kitchens... I think it's really about personal preference!