In this article, we will do a brief overview of the housing designs prevalent in the US while covering the states with the most beautiful houses in the country.
An Analysis of Home Styles Across the US
The beauty of American homes is evident from the distinct architectural styles they showcase. As reported by Redfin, modern-style homes which encompass flat roofs, asymmetrical exteriors, and integrated outdoor spaces are one of the most desired styles among homebuyers nationally. The iconic ranch house architecture has been quite famous as well. Another kind of house that has been known throughout the 21st century is the craftsman-styled home with its attractive exterior features.
Simultaneously, the northeastern part of the United States features Cape Cod homes having a symmetrical design and a central chimney, a beautiful design that originally migrated from England. Similar to the symmetrical Cape Cod homes are the Colonial-style homes which date back to 1876. A house style that migrated from Europe to penetrate the cities in the US appeared as townhomes with spacious layouts. Another rather old style that is still prevalent in the form of colorful dollhouses is the Victorian style which was witnessed during the Victorian Era. In the Northeast and Midwest US regions, unique Tudor-style houses can also be found.
In states like California and Florida, Mediterranean-style homes are common which are under the influence of the architecture of the Mediterranean countries. Many also prefer contemporary architecture with rather simple forms and inventive designs. In coastal cities such as Baltimore, Boston, and Philadelphia, row houses with two to four stories and stone exteriors remain popular.
While these are some of the most popular and sought-after designs among American homebuyers, the ultimate choice to own a home is based upon multiple factors including the financial budget, personal preference, and needs.
Biggest American Homebuilder Penetrating Markets
Leading homebuilders in the US enable access to diverse house types for homebuyers through broad geographic coverage. A prime example of a recognized name in the US housing market is the largest American homebuilder by volume, D.R. Horton (NYSE:DHI), which continues to deliver quality and affordability across the United States. The company started off with its first home in 1978 and completed over 1,000,000 homes in 2023. Other than homebuilding, the homebuilder offers other services such as mortgage, title, and insurance all under one roof. Catering to the diverse homebuyer needs, the company has Express Series for first-time homebuyers, Emerald Series for high-end homes, and Freedom Series for easy living and low maintenance. Rental communities for those who cannot own a home are also available.
With more Americans choosing D.R. Horton than any other US homebuilder since 2002, the company secures a clear dominant market position. The company remains well-positioned with 42,600 houses in inventory and an average selling price of $380,000, to serve the American homebuyer who is concerned with housing affordability amidst elevated mortgage rates and a general housing shortage. During the third quarter of 2024, D.R. Horton was successful in beating EPS estimates by $0.32 while its home sales revenues went up by 6% year-over-year to $9.2 billion which depicts the firm’s robust performance in a tight market.
Considering the volatility in the US housing market, the homebuilder has grown its revenue by 16.94% and net income by 25.83% over the last 5 years. D.R. Horton’s valuation is another attractive point for investors. The stock is cheap since it is currently trading at 12 times its forward earnings, a discount of 21% to the sector. D.R. Horton’s industry-leading market share, strong resilience against headwinds in the industry, and a focus on affordable offerings demonstrate its position as one of America’s top homebuilders.
Now that we have analyzed the current demographics of the US housing industry and the options available to homebuyers, let’s move to the 15 states with the most beautiful houses in the country.
Aerial view of an attractive multifamily residential property in the New York metropolitan area.
Our Methodology:
In order to compile a list of the 15 states with the most beautiful houses in the US, we did a sentiment analysis on Reddit. We used Reddit to find 10 threads that asked people about the states with the most beautiful houses. We read and analyzed all the comments and added the upvotes for each state. Lastly, we shortlisted the states that had at least a total of 100 upvotes and ranked those on our list in ascending order of the total upvotes on Reddit.
Note: This list is not exhaustive and does not reflect our opinion. The ranking is solely based on the opinions of Reddit users.
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15 States with the Most Beautiful Houses in the US
15. Texas
Upvotes: 123
With a booming job market, a year-round warm climate, and a relatively affordable cost of living, Texas serves as home for many. The state boasts a variety of attractive homes including the unique Hill Country style homes, minimalist farmhouses, mission-style homes, and resort homes for vacation-like living.
14. Maine
Upvotes: 134
Reddit users have cited the state of Maine as a place that matches the vibe of a European countryside cottage. The state’s housing diversity ranges from coastal cottages to log cabins. Colonial homes as well as modern architecture homes can also be spotted in the state.
13. Connecticut
Upvotes: 150
Connecticut has picturesque towns and some of the most beautifully styled homes in the country. Those interested in calling the state their home can go for the historic saltbox homes, Cape Cod homes, old colonial homes, cottages, Craftsman homes, Greek Revival homes, and Tudor-style houses.
12. Montana
Upvotes: 178
The scenic beauty and peaceful lifestyle that Montana has for its residents is quite captivating. Apart from contemporary styles of living, log homes, mid-century modern homes, new-construction homes, and ranch-style homes are popular in the state. Montana ranks 12th on our list of the 15 US states with the most beautiful homes.
11. Colorado
Upvotes: 207
Colorado homes range from bungalows to modern new-construction homes. Mountain rustic-style homes, colonial homes, craftsman homes, ranch homes, contemporary homes, mid-century modern homes, farmhouse homes, Prairie-style homes, and Victorian homes are other styles homebuyers can go for in the state.
10. Florida
Upvotes: 221
Florida is another US state where homebuyers have an abundance of aesthetically pleasing home styles to see. Mediterranean-style homes are common in the state. Key West style homes unique to Florida’s Key West region, Art Deco homes, Craftsman style homes, Spanish-style homes, Victorian homes resort-style homes, ranch homes, and modern farmhouses are well-known home styles the state has got to offer.
9. Massachusetts
Upvotes: 244
Those who want to choose Massachusetts to be their living destination can seek both historic and modern homes. The common Massachusetts home styles are three-decker homes, Cape Cod homes, colonial homes, craftsman homes, rambler homes, Tudor-style homes, Victorian homes, and new construction homes which are a mix of contemporary and conventional features.
8. Georgia
Upvotes: 276
Georgia has a unique architectural identity that has undergone evolution. The state has seen Antebellum architecture, Victorian styles, Craftsman Bungalows, modern and postmodern architectural styles, and sleek contemporary architecture. Thus, Georgia is another state with aesthetic houses.
7. Maryland
Upvotes: 281
The architectural styles for homes in Maryland are many. Colonial-era homes as well as modern apartments can be seen in the state. Especially in the case of the state’s luxurious real estate market, places such as Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Baltimore, and Chesapeake Bay are more popular for their high-end features and styles.
6. Pennsylvania
Upvotes: 285
Americans can witness some great residential architecture in the state of Pennsylvania which ranks among other states with beautiful houses. While the Colonial, Victorian, Cape Cod, ranch, and contemporary styles have been popular in the state, the Early Republic style can also be noticed.
5. North Carolina
Upvotes: 330
North Carolina is a suitable place for those who wish to experience a mild climate, rich history, and ample outdoor recreation. Bungalow houses, coastal-style homes, colonial homes, farmhouses, craftsman homes, new construction homes, mid-century modern homes, ranch-style homes, and the Queen Anne style of Victorian homes are well-known home styles in North Carolina.
4. New Mexico
Upvotes: 362
Referred to as the ‘Land of Enchantment’, the state of New Mexico boasts natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage. Some of the New Mexico-style homes that are most common include Pueblo Revival homes, adobe homes, ranch homes, contemporary style homes, craftsman homes, and Hacienda or Southwest style homes.
3. Louisiana
Upvotes: 389
Louisiana has several architectural features and home styles for those interested in its real estate. Acadian-style homes, colonial homes, cottages, craftsman homes, farmhouses, French country-style homes, mid-century modern homes, shotgun houses, Victorian homes, and ranch homes are most prevalent in the state. Louisiana ranks 3rd on our list.
2. California
Upvotes: 404
California ranks second among the 15 states with the most beautiful houses in the country. The state has a relaxing and laidback lifestyle for those who wish to choose it for living. From colorful Victorians to mid-century modern homes with a sleek look, the Golden State has many stylish homes that add to the attractiveness of West Coast living.
1. New York
Upvotes: 422
The bustling state of New York is a known destination to settle in for many. The state has a lot to offer in terms of styles homebuyers could choose from. According to Redfin, some of the most popular and common styles across the state include brownstones, art deco, colonial homes, co-ops, contemporary homes, and homes featuring modern architecture with innovative designs and materials, rambler style homes, row houses, Tudor-style houses, and Victorian homes.
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