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My first encounter with different types of houses came through playing the The Game of Life. During the board game, when it was time to buy a home, I always hoped to choose the charming purple Victorian over the shabby split-level. Reflecting now, I wish I had hoped for house prices to match real-life real estate—$200,000 for a house with a library, parlor, marble fireplaces, and a wraparound porch? Sign me up for a down payment!

But life isn’t a board game, and there are far more than nine different styles of houses to explore. There are myriad styles of houses across the U.S. For instance, the Ranch style is prevalent in the Midwest, Colonial Revival styles of houses are common on the East Coast, and Spanish Colonial styles thrive in California. The popularity of these types can vary by region, making it challenging to differentiate between styles.

By examining architectural elements like trim, rooflines, the number of floors, and building materials, you can determine which types of houses you prefer and which ones don’t appeal to you, once you’re acquainted with all the styles available. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of the most common types of houses, highlighting their defining features. Read on for our guide on types of houses from A to Z—or V, so to speak.

Additional copy from Caroline Picard and Hadley Keller.

American Colonial

True American Colonial architecture dates back to the Colonial era, from the 1720s to the 1780s. European settlers built these historic homes with steep roofs and symmetrical features in simple, rectangular shapes. True American

Colonial Revival

Inspired by 18th-century design, architects of the Colonial Revival style pay the same attention to symmetry but also borrow elements from other movements.

Cottage-Style

Embraced for its comfortable bridge of modern and traditional, cottage-style homes feature classic elements like small rooms, dormer windows, and porches but often take on contemporary finishes and decorations, like the double gable and mixed-material facade shown here.

American Craftsman

Affiliated with the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th century, these types of houses incorporate gabled roofs, deep eaves, exposed rafters, and special stone or woodwork. The Gamble House in Pasadena (which starred as Doc Brown’s house in Back to the Future) is a perfect example.