Real Estate 101: House Style Series - Tudor

REAL ESTATE 101: HOUSE STYLE SERIES - TUDOR

When you work with a real estate agent as you begin the search for a new home, they may ask you what styles of homes you like. Understanding the differences between various home styles, like Colonials, Contemporary, and Cape Cods, can help you communicate your style preferences to your real estate agent, making your search more efficient and successful. 

This edition of our Real Estate 101: House Styles Series explores the tudor home style and the features that make this home unique from any other style. If you appreciate a cottage-look home with a steep roof, exterior details, brick or stone accents, and an asymmetrical style, packaged in an appealing, cozy package, a tudor-style home may be just what you’re looking for. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF TUDOR HOMES

Many tudors often have the white/brown stucco/timber exterior, a hallmark style. Updated tudor homes may change up the colors used to lighten and brighten up the outside of the home. 

Steep roofs, narrow casement windows, and prominent chimneys also are found on tudor style homes. Some tudor roofs have wood or slate shingles to add character. 

Chimneys on tudor homes are often brick, stone, or wrapped with the traditional stucco/timber to match the rest of the home. Inside, you’ll often find a statement-making fireplace in the family room or living room.  

Tudor style homes emanate from the 16th-century English time period known as the Tudor period. As a result, you might often find wood paneling or plaster walls as features in a tudor home.

WHAT MAKES A TUDOR UNIQUE?

Many tudor homes were built in the suburbs around 80 to 100 years ago, often in areas that were considered affluent at the time. Tudor’s basic style appeals to homebuyers who want a practical home. The interior of a tudor home can vary, but many have traditional, separate rooms – living room, dining room, kitchen, as opposed to open floor plans. Keep in mind that many older tudor homes may have original woodwork which can be a focus of rooms with wood beams. The attractive curb appeal of tudors gives off a cottage feel. 

UPDATING TUDORS FOR TODAY

The ability to update a tudor home gives homeowners many options. 

FULL SECOND FLOOR Tudors often have full second floors. New bedrooms, larger bedrooms, expanded closet space, or adding a new or larger bathroom are the typical updates. 

KITCHENS Kitchens can be expanded and an open floor plan can be achieved by combining the existing kitchen area with a dining room or family room, or both, in many tudor homes.

BASEMENTS Basements are often able to be finished or remodeled to create new space for kid play area, work-from-home office, in-law living, in-home nanny, or more. 

ADDITIONS Adding more space to tudors is an option. These homes often exist on a larger lot that can accommodate extending the home. Family rooms, first-floor primary suites, gourmet kitchens, and more can be the perfect add-on to a tudor home.

LIFESTYLE 

Tudor homes can accommodate homeowners at every life stage. From first-time homebuyers to growing families to downsizing older folks. The charm and versatility of a tudor appeals to many. 

PRICE POINTS

Depending upon the location and condition of a tudor home in the Chicago area, prices for these character-filled homes vary. 

As with all homes, those that are willing to put in time and money to remodel a tudor can create a unique home that suits your family’s every need. Move-in ready tudor homes in great locations will be priced accordingly.

If a tudor-style home sounds like the type of home you’d enjoy owning, contact one of our LW Reedy agents to discuss your homebuying needs.

AN ELMHURST TUDOR HOME

If tudor homes are your style, you will find many options in Elmhurst and the Chicagoland area, like this modern home at 182 S Kenmore Ave in Elmhurst. 

This recently sold modern home features the typical tudor home with an asymmetrical style with slate roof, narrow, multi-pane windows and individual rooms versus an open floor plan.

Learn more about different house styles in the next post in our Real Estate 101: House Styles Series. Recent posts about other architectural styles, like the Modern, Cape Cod, and the Colonial, can be found on the LW Reedy blog.

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If you have questions about Elmhurst and the surrounding communities or are getting ready for a move, contact your local LW Reedy real estate agent today.