Pennsylvania Real Estate Outlook: 4 Home Styles Gaining Popularity Amid 4 Losing Value
The Pennsylvania housing market is shifting in fascinating ways this year. Homebuyer preferences are evolving rapidly, with certain architectural styles climbing in both popularity and value while others are falling out of favor.
Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or renovate in the Keystone State, understanding which home styles are hot and which are not could save you thousands of dollars on your real estate decisions.
1. Modern Farmhouses Surging in Demand
Buyers can’t get enough of the modern farmhouse aesthetic sweeping across Pennsylvania suburbs and rural areas. The combination of rustic elements with clean contemporary lines creates a warm yet sophisticated living space that appeals to multiple generations.
The white board exteriors, metal roofs, and large front porches offer both curb appeal and practical outdoor living space. Inside, open floor plans with exposed beams and shiplap accents create that coveted blend of cozy and spacious.
2. Mid-Century Modern Makes a Comeback
Originally built between 1945 and 1975, these architectural gems are experiencing a renaissance in Pennsylvania’s housing market. Young professionals and design enthusiasts are specifically hunting for these properties, willing to pay premium prices for authentic mid-century features.
The flat planes, large windows, integration with nature, and minimalist aesthetic speak to modern sensibilities about indoor-outdoor living. Communities like New Hope and areas around Philadelphia have seen mid-century homes selling significantly above asking price.
3. Energy-Efficient Smart Homes Commanding Higher Prices
Pennsylvania homebuyers are increasingly willing to pay more for properties with built-in energy efficiency and smart technology. Homes featuring solar panels, high-efficiency HVAC systems, and comprehensive smart home integration are selling faster and at higher price points across the state.
The appeal goes beyond eco-consciousness – the promise of lower utility bills makes these investments practical. Many buyers are specifically searching listing platforms using terms like “energy efficient” and “smart home ready” as must-have features.
4. Tiny Homes and ADUs Growing in Popularity
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and tiny homes are rapidly gaining traction in Pennsylvania’s housing market. The flexibility these spaces offer – from rental income to multi-generational living solutions – makes them increasingly valuable additions to existing properties.
Municipalities across the state are updating zoning laws to accommodate these structures. Homeowners with well-designed tiny homes or ADUs on their properties are seeing property values increase by 20-30% in some markets, particularly near universities and in areas with housing shortages.
5. McMansions Facing Significant Value Decline
Once the status symbol of suburban success, oversized homes built between 1980 and 2008 are struggling to maintain their value in Pennsylvania’s changing market. These large homes with their mixed architectural styles and massive square footage are increasingly seen as energy inefficient and impractical.
Younger buyers particularly avoid these properties, citing concerns about maintenance costs and environmental impact. In Philadelphia’s suburban counties, these homes are sitting on the market 2-3 times longer than more modest properties and often selling well below asking price.
6. Split-Level Homes Losing Market Appeal
Split-level homes, once a staple of Pennsylvania suburbs in the 1960s-70s, are falling out of favor with today’s buyers. Their compartmentalized floor plans contradict the open-concept living that dominates current preferences, making them increasingly difficult to sell without significant renovations.
The characteristic half-staircases and multiple level changes that define these homes present accessibility concerns for aging populations and families with young children. Homes in this style across Pittsburgh and Harrisburg suburbs are selling for 10-15% less than similarly sized properties with more contemporary layouts.
7. Mediterranean-Style Homes Falling Out of Fashion
The ornate Mediterranean and Tuscan-inspired homes that dominated luxury real estate in the early 2000s are rapidly losing their premium status in Pennsylvania’s market. Their elaborate details, heavy stonework, and dark interiors contrast sharply with today’s preference for bright, minimal spaces.
Renovation costs for these distinctive properties often outweigh potential returns. In upscale communities around Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley, Mediterranean-style homes built between 2000-2010 have experienced some of the slowest appreciation rates in their respective neighborhoods over the past five years.
8. Ranches Without Updates Struggling to Compete
Traditional ranch homes without modern updates are facing tough competition in Pennsylvania’s current market. While their single-level living should appeal to aging populations, outdated features like small kitchens, closed floor plans, and limited natural light are major deterrents for today’s buyers.
The exception? Ranches that have undergone significant modernization with open concept renovations and contemporary finishes. Unrenovated ranch homes in suburban and rural Pennsylvania communities are selling for substantially less than other housing styles, sometimes 20% below comparable square footage in more current styles.
