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One of the most popular homes in America today is the Ranch House Plan. This plan was developed and made popular by Cliff May. The first Ranch house built by May was in San Diego, California in 1932. Because of their birth place ranch style is also referred to ad California Ranch.

The ranch style home takes its cues from Spanish Colonial, Prairie and Craftsman style. Cliff May liked the Frank Lloyd Wrights Prairie homes. With such strong influences taken from Mr. Wright's designs you might call Mr. Wright the grandfather of the ranch home.

A ranch home incorporates sprawling rectangular, u-shape or L-shaped footprints. They are normally 1 story homes. The floor plan is probably open and informal. The homes lack ornate outer appearances. For the most part they have simple exteriors with possibly a few shutters. Natural materials are heavily used in these homes. Materials like oak floors and wood or brick exteriors are found in homes of this type.

Ranch homes became extraordinarily affordable for soldiers returning home from World War II. Mass production techniques led to ranch homes becoming ordinary and cheap for the average consumer. That does not mean however that all ranch homes are ordinary or cheap.

Ranch homes planned a large role in the creation of sub divisions. As automobiles more and more popular the need to live in the city became less necessary. Large sprawling sub divisions were created with these spread out 1 story homes.

Ranch style homes gave birth to a few other home plans. The split level home, and the raised ranch are the two most common. These homes now fill the market. That makes them affordable for a first time buyer. Retired home owners are also flocking to these home plans. Because of the 1 level living and wide open floor plans it makes these homes easy to move around and the best choice for handicap equipment such as walkers or wheelchairs.

If you are a first time buyer the ranch house may be at top of your list for availability and price. You can find these homes with simple cost effective features that make them easy to navigate and maintain.