Contrary to popular belief that Texas holds all the excellent ranch homes in the US, they are in every state – from the West, North, Northwest, and Midwest to the Southwest. Builders predominantly built these single-story residential properties in warmer climates (Florida, California), but the convenience of one-floor living and timeless design made it a popular architectural style nationwide. Owning a rancher means the homeowner will have to spend minimal time on exterior upkeep and renovation, while the initial purchase price is comparatively lower than a regular multi-story residential property. Hence, homebuyers’ penchant for reasonably priced ranch-style homes has grown in the past few years and will continue.
Here are five affordable ranch home locations that offer great value:
1. Albuquerque, New Mexico
When it comes to the versatility and affordability of ranch homes, Albuquerque’s residential properties are hard to beat. You can get a 40-acres of land with a generous rambler and farming establishments under $400K and modern, compact ramblers under $300K near the city center. Even the design elements vary for buyers from different demographics; the architectural styles blend the state’s cultural and historical influences with open floor plans and abundant glass windows to enjoy sunlight, wind, and other natural elements all year round. So, the sturdy stucco structure, decorative woodwork, and adobe facade come in cheap compared to other states thanks to lower labor costs and a higher supply of ranchers.
Whether outdoor-enthusiast residents or individuals looking for a city-centered or gated lifestyle with a compact design ranch-style home, Albuquerque has something for everyone. The city has master-planned ranch-homes-only communities featuring parks, pools, community centers, schools, and fields. Thus, you can fulfill your rancher dream while enjoying premium personal safety and gated community amenities.
2. Bozeman, Montana
If you want to find a rancher heaven around the best of what Mother Nature offers (Rocky Mountain, prairies, glaciers), there is no better place to call home than Bozeman. Montana’s ranch home scene exploded in the last few years: 900,000 acres of ranches are up for sale with a net worth of $1 Billion. The ranch homes provide maximum return for the homeowners because of the versatile wildlife (deer, moose, bear, geese, pheasant, etc.) and waterways full of fish (trout, bass, catfish, pike, etc.). Hence, ranch home prices are on the higher side, averaging $6.4 million, and are expected to grow more.
However, at Bozeman, you can find affordable ranchers that feature open layouts and internal updates while keeping the essence of ranch homes. The city’s planned ranch subdivisions have averaged around $300K. Since these planned communities sell vacant plots within $180K, you can build your dream ranch nest from scratch without spending millions.
3. Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne possesses the perfect blench of residential properties for buyers looking for roomy ranchers (that go beyond the traditional one-story design) besides breathtaking nature. The split-level ranch-style homes built in the 1950s are priced around the $350K mark, while the hiking and horseback riding with the majestic backdrop of the Laramie Mountains promises a complete ranch and cowboy experience. Cheyenne’s geography surrounding ramblers or architectural integrity doesn’t fall short compared to luxury ranch residential properties from California or Florida. Thus, the price is a bargain for buyers who want the luxe on a budget.
Cheyenne, the capital of Wyoming, lets the residents enjoy high-end downtown facilities and recreation options without breaking the bank for a rambler. Living in the city means getting close to the greenery at the Curt Gowdy State Park, camping under the stars, or trying your hand at archery sans the hours of driving.
4. Denver, Colorado
Even though Denver’s ranch home price starts from $450K, the regional design elements, suburban neighborhoods, walkability, and accessibility (freeways, railways) are worth every penny. The city’s sleek ramblers possess brick exteriors, expansive basements, compact layouts, and indoor-outdoor settings, making them a dream property for families and retirees. Although the general populace believes one-story houses are tight in space, these residential properties have enough capacity for recreational rooms, home offices, walk-in closets, and additional bedrooms.
Denver’s Highline Canal, local boutiques, restaurants, and traditional mom-and-pop shops ensure maximum convenience for the residents. Even if you splurge a bit more than your original budget for a ranch home, you can mend the gap thanks to the low property tax (0.49%) and the booming employment options.
5. Elkhorn, Wisconsin
Wisconsin and ranch homes seem like two different elements that are far from each other and would never coexist. However, apart from the state’s rich estates and mansions influenced by European and Modernist architecture, it has a versatile collection of ranch-style homes suitable for the WI climate. What’s better for the buyers is the unbelievably low price near the happening places of WI cities; you can buy a ranch home at Elkhorn within $300K, only 40 miles away from Milwaukee. The proximity to three airports – Milwaukee (MKE), Madison (MSN), and O’hare (ORD) – means the town has greater potential for property appreciation.
Since buyers started to lean more towards houses with traditional US properties rather than cookie-cutter new constructions, Elkhorn’s rancher homes will bring in big-ticket clients. Considering WI’s comfortable climate, natural surroundings, and old-town charm, ranch-style houses will bring greater value to retirees looking for low-maintenance single-story homes. Besides, the tree-lined roads, close-knit community, and highly regarded schools are perfect for young families from congested metros.
Outro
As the US real estate market is gearing up for a Silver Tsunami and millennials are shifting to minimalistic living, the popularity of ranch homes will skyrocket in the next few years. So, it’s wiser to grab your dream home in a less appreciated location before everyone jumps on the rancher bandwagon and the home prices go wild.
