Yuck.Is it possible to add on a second story to a split entry? Just saying the name conjures "The Brady Bunch," doesn't it?But Americans long ago fell out of love with this ubiquitous home style. So don't assume you're in the clear if your house is new, or doomed to encounter problems if your home is old. "There are a lot of them, and they were kind of inexpensive to begin with, so you don't really tend to think of luxury and split-level together. Splits soared in popularity during the 1970s, when modest-priced lots called for modest homes that made the most of limited square footage.

Then check periodically to see whether the paint has cracked, which means the gap is opening up under pressure.Our winterizing your home checklist will help you keep your house cozy and safe from winter’s frigid assault.Invest in quality tools while they’re on sale this month.Dryer vent cleaning tips so your house never catches on fire.A door snake is one of the quickest insulation tips. Being a good partner to the agent you pick will make you both happier house hunters.

Even if you think they’ve already started to freeze. Few things recall a certain time in America - and evoke strong reactions - quite like the split-level house.

A compromise. Good day.

that are written by the members of this community. Had bump out china closet put in for extra room in dining room.

Where the concrete can’t shrink evenly, it tends to crack.

But that doesn't mean they're hopeless," says Ann Robinson, a Though splits began to appear as early as the 1930s, they really took off in the post-World War II building boom, and were popular through the 1970s for a number of reasons:But that doesn't mean they can't be rehabilitated, say architects who get excited about their possibilities.

All it requires is some creative thinking. This problem, common in homes built in the early 1900s in some parts of the country, has no remedy short of a new foundation.Foundation systems have other members besides the perimeter foundation wall. Jason & Amber Gardner The kind of split with the big 3 car stall garage sticking out in frontI bought my parents tri-level when my mother moved into a nearby retirement home.

Now I love it!
make an informed decision when buying or selling a house.

At the same time, you'll want to be alert to these warning signs that more dramatic changes are taking place: The sooner you identify potential problems, the easier -- and less expensive -- it is to fix them.Houses settle over time, and a little unevenness isn't cause for panic.

Put one in basement for family room. Be sure that gutters aren't plugged, and that soil slopes away from the foundation at the rate of 6 inches for every 10 horizontal feet.As concrete cures, it shrinks slightly. Needed for kitchen storage and huge mirror over couch, which reflects light into the room. Foundation problems may mean expensive repairs. 203kOnLine.com, covering the USA - Las Vegas, NV Widened doorway between kitchen & dining room, but kept living room wall. Multiple stairways can be a problem for older people who live in a split level house.

"They are very amenable to being opened up and changed," says Battles, principal of Here are some of the most common gripes about splits, along with suggestions on how to resolve those issues from architects who have revitalized many:Clearly, all isn't lost when it comes to the homely split-level home. Floor separations were based on home activities, which allowed for less noise in sleeping areas. Real Estate Agent with Hasson Company, Realtors The basement area accommodated children's play without disrupting the patterns of other home … My split has huge living room/dining room picture windows facing each other; kitchen has normal window over sink & glass door to outside. Licensed Oregon Broker & Director of Marketing for Wish there was room for a powder room on that level, but there isn't.

We opened the dining room and added a breakfast bar, made the kitchen and eating area huge. "I agree with most of your points, however, some people just like them. It’s a confusing time, but lenders are putting remedies, like forbearance, in place to help homeowners.