From its balmy beachfronts to fast-paced urban centers, there’s a home style to fit any lifestyle in Florida. Here are six of the most common types of homes you’ll find throughout the Sunshine State.
1. Mediterranean Revival
Ever dreamed of living in a luxurious Mediterranean villa? Then the architectural style known as Mediterranean Revival is what you’re looking for. Introduced to Florida real estate in the early to mid-19th century, this style of home references Spanish Colonials, Spanish Renaissance and a touch of Arabic Andalusian architecture. The majority of the structures are based upon a rectangular floorplan and feature prominent and symmetrical facades, arches, tilework and intricate door surrounds. Originally, the style was only used for public structures like hotels, but you can thank architects like Addison Mizner and Bertram Goodhue for recognizing that the style’s breezy layout would be a good fit for coastal climates like Florida’s.
This majestic Mediterranean Revival home above is located on the beautiful Butler Chain of Lakes in Windermere, FL. Just use the button to step through the gates on Offerpad.com and take yourself on a virtual tour today.
Virtually Tour: Home for Sale in Windermere, FL
2. Spanish Colonial
Spanish Colonial homes were first built in the parts of America settled by Spaniards—namely Florida, California and throughout the Southwest. Sharing similar characteristics to a Mediterranean Revival style and typical of the architectural movement in the early 1900s, many have entrances and windows with rounded arch shapes and long, narrow porches lining a side yard or courtyard. While the traditional Spanish style home is characterized by familiar white stucco exteriors, red tile roofs and heavy, wood accents, many modern building materials now capture the essence of this classic home design, resembling homes and buildings still in use in colonial districts of Mexico, Colombia, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and in St. Augustine, Florida, America’s oldest city.
St. Augustine is only a short drive from where you’ll find this modern Spanish Colonial style homes for sale in Orlando.
Virtually Tour: Home for Sale in Orlando, FL
3. Coastal Contemporary
Florida ranks #2 in the U.S. in miles of coastline, so it’s no wonder that the Coastal Contemporary home is so popular. The epitome of simplistic elegance, this aesthetic takes advantage of broad, expansive waterfront – be it beach, lake, river or gulf (or golf course) — views, with large, floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors. Either single or multi-story, this home style is designed to let in maximum natural light and incorporates modern concepts like a high ceiling and mostly open floor plan.
Capture the Coastal Contemporary vibe in this condo in beautiful Clearwater, FL, available for sale on Offerpad.com.
Virtually Tour: Home for Sale in Clearwater, FL
4. Ranch Style
Found throughout Florida and the U.S., popular ranch-style homes are commonly referred to and characterized as a single-story, single-family home with a lower roof and attached garage or carport. Other defining features are their simple design and ease of access (no stairs). It’s relatively simple to make additions to this style of architecture, too, like adding on a screened porch. Another appeal of ranch homes is their tendency to have lower utility costs due to their single-story construction.
This charming, completely renovated Ranch home is located in Orlando, FL, and is for sale by Offerpad. Take a tour here:
Virtually Tour: Home for Sale in Orlando, FL
5. Condos and Townhomes
Lining the coasts and throughout Florida are condos and townhouses galore in any style you can imagine. ‘Snowbirds’ flocking to Florida seeking refuge from harsh Northern winters will find no shortage of properties for an ideal second- or vacation home, many featuring resort-style amenities to enjoy year-round.
This condo offered by Offerpad is right on the riverwalk in Tampa, FL. Take a virtual tour to see the beautiful views of the exquisite courtyard, luxurious pool and state-of-the-art fitness center.
Virtually Tour: Home for Sale in Tampa, FL
6. Victorian
Coming late in Queen Victoria’s reign, the two most famous architecture styles of the Victorian period are the Italianate and Queen Anne. Each of these Victorian style homes have their own distinct characteristics but share many features in common, such as an emphasis on vertical elements like tall windows and standing two or three stories high. Victorians are also commonly adorned with at least three different paint colors and detailed ornamentation such as gingerbread trim, gabled roofs and domed towers.
Found mostly in Central Florida, Victorian-style homes are usually seen in older, historic neighborhoods such as Sanford north of Orlando, and Winter Park, where this Queen Anne revival-style Victorian resides. Take a look inside at her other stately features on Offerpad.com.
Virtually Tour: Home for Sale in Winter Park, FL
If you’re searching for your dream home, a second home, or even if you’re a first-time home buyer, Offerpad has a large selection of homes for sale in Florida you can browse at your convenience. Just log onto Offerpad.com to find your new home in the Sunshine State today!
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