Have you been looking at homes for sale and have been interested in the split-level homes that you've seen? If so, you may be wondering if it is the right kind of home for your family. Here are a few advantages and disadvantages of a split-level home.
Advantages Of Split-level Homes
One reason that people love living in a split-level home is that it has separation that you do not have with other home layouts. Since you have three levels, it allows for the bedrooms to be separate from the kitchen and the living room space, which can give people their own space in the home. For example, someone that is sleeping in the bedroom will be separated from the living room when people are still awake.
Split-level homes also make good use of the space and have plenty of square footage, but the home takes up a small amount of space. In addition, a split-level home can look very modern and visually interesting compared to more traditional-style homes. You may like that a split-level home doesn't fit the typical pattern of all the surrounding homes in the area, and feels unique to the area.
Disadvantages Of Split-level Homes
If you are worried about people with mobility issues getting around in a split, then it may not be the best choice for you. There are going to be more stairs to navigate to simply get around the home, such as making a transition from a living room to a dining room. This can be problematic if you are worried about older people in your home that have trouble walking.
You should also be aware of how a split-level home is taxed in your area. Some counties do not consider a basement a finished space that is taxable in a ranch or colonial-style home. However, the basement of a split-level home is taxable in some counties, even though it's the bottom floor of your home. This can make a split-level home have higher taxes than a ranch or colonial.
Another issue you could run into is the energy efficiency of a split-level home. With heat rising and cold air falling, you may notice that the upper part of the home feels hot in the summer and the bottom floor feels cold in the winter. You may like the open design of the home, but find that it is not as comfortable as it could be when it comes to heating and cooling.
If a split-level home is something that interests you, search your area today for homes for sale.