Many homebuyers may not have put a lot of thought into whether to live in a one- or two- story home, but it's an important decision to make! Both the lifestyle that the homebuyer wants and the resale value are factors that should be considered. It can be a daunting process, especially if you have never considered it. Here are some basic things you should know when considering what floor plan to invest in.

This 1,800 square foot lakefront custom home was designed to be the perfect vacation getaway. — This 1,800 square foot *lakefront custom home* was designed to be the perfect vacation getaway.

Which is better when it comes to resale value? Neither are necessarily better; they both have qualities that are better in different ways. A single-story house has the edge when it comes to the aging population (no stairs to climb), but a two-story house allows for more privacy. A two-story can be a better choice on a smaller lot in a more developed area. You can build up instead of out, and effectively add more usable square footage to your home and it often costs less per square footage to build up.

This stucco beauty won multiple awards including best in quality and craftsmanship!

Lifestyle is just as important to consider in a home. It really depends a lot on your family and their preferences. A single story home makes aging in place a lot easier, as it eliminates stairs and the difficulty of climbing them. A one-story home also allows for more creativity with ceiling options - you could have vaulted ceilings, taller ceilings, or even add a skylight. Single story homes are cheaper to heat and cool, quieter, and cleaning is a lot easier and faster. If you ever wanted to put an addition on your home, it's much easier to do with a single story home.

This affordable two-story was built on the hillside to utilize the river view. It boasted a main level master bedroom and bath and wrap around porch!

Many bigger families like two-story homes because they like to have all the bedrooms upstairs, and a den or office on the first floor as work space. Others prefer the master bedroom downstairs, and the family bedrooms and guest rooms upstairs. A two-story plan allows a lot more flexibility as far as that is concerned. A highly coveted feature of a two-story home is having the laundry room upstairs, right next to the bedrooms. Additionally, a two-story could also allow you to utilize a better view.

No matter what your vision is, in the end it is about choosing what's best for your family and lifestyle. AJ Construction and Development can help you with every little detail to get your dream home just right. Tell us what you envision for your dream home, and we can tell you how to make it a reality!

Serving Tri-Cities, Washington. Pasco, Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Benton City, Burbank, and Finley Washington.