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Bungalow, or Cape Cod? What’s the Difference?!

Colonial, split-level, Cape Cod… it’s no surprise that real estate has its own lingo, right down to the style of a home. In an effort to establish a deeper understanding of real estate home styles, in terms of how they’re built and what they seek to represent, McEnearney presents a series of articles to explore these differences. We’ll explain what makes a home a split-level versus a split-foyer, define traditional Colonials and Cape Cods; and learn to appreciate the subtleties of Art Deco and Victorian details. Check out our previous article exploring the variations between Rowhouses and Townhouses.

Second in our series, we seek to better understand the differences between those oh-so-cute bungalow and Cape Cod-style homes. 

Bungalows

With its name originating from India where the term “bungalow” meant a small, thatched home, the first bungalow homes made landfall in Philadelphia around 1876 as Americans sought to distinguish themselves from the European influences traditionally seen in Victorian, Queen Anne and antebellum-style homes. In the 1890s, bungalows popped up in San Francisco and made their way down to Southern California before spreading to the midwest in the early 20th century, where they remained popular until the Great Depression. The style had become so popular, in fact, that you could order a bungalow kit from the Sears and Roebuck catalog. In short, bungalows offered low-cost, simple housing for many Americans who were getting by on modest means.

Bungalow-style homes are traditionally one-story with a wood, brick or stone exterior, and a mix of materials carried throughout the structure. The homes often feature a stone chimney, low-profile roof and covered porch in the front or corner. The bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen are usually laid out around a central living area. 

Take a look at these recent McEnearney listings with homes classified as Bungalow:

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Cape Cods

Some of the first houses built in the U.S. were Cape Cods. Dating back to the 1600s, Cape Cods were built to protect settlers from the harsh New England winters, with an emphasis on form, rather than function. Originally built as one-story, shingle-sided homes without dormers, this style became increasingly popular during the mid-20th century in the suburbs. 

Most of the Cape Cod homes you see today were built after World War II, when thousands of returning soldiers and their young families needed inexpensive housing. The Cape Cod style fit the bill, and it was used to build some of the first major housing developments. 

Traditionally designed in a square or rectangle shape, Cape Code-specific features include a large chimney in the center of the first floor to provide warmth for the entire house, a steeply-angled roof with weathered, gray cedar shingles to help the snow slide off quickly and a “captain’s stairway” leading to the second floor.

Take a look at these recent McEnearney listings with homes classified as Cape Cod:

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Seeking a Bungalow, Cape Cod or any other style of home? Contact your favorite McEnearney Associate to start your home search today!

 


 

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