Farm style houses are a revelation to the senses. They have a connotation of space. When we think of farmhouses, we immediately think of sprawling acres. Even if the house is small by those standards, it must have a quality front porch. It has dual functions. First, it allows a lot of sunlight, thereby creating a space illusion. Second, it lets people relax and share the mundane attributes of life lazing with a cold coffee for comfort. This is what saving of a lifetime should go into; peace for few moments.

Second thing is the bedroom. Ideally bedrooms for a farmhouse style plan are in the second storey. It is because, first storey is meant to be high traffic area. Farmhouses are more often than not, cut out in rectangular shapes. You can look for little different shapes as well. A walkout basement is ideal if you look to avoid stairs. May be the age is catching up a little.

Beach house plans or the waterfront plans are lazy; laid-back houses lying on a beach. They tend to be fused with sunshine and hence a large window suits them amply. The idea is to have a shade of the pastoral where you can lay your worries aside and spend some time in peace. It can have two storeys or a single one. Balconies and porches are a must; stretched balconies with plenty of sunshine increases the aura of watching the oscillating palm trees and horizon at a distance.

You might look for a cottage type plan or a multi-storey executive or corporate suite. People who have yacht make beach houses and people who have a little over moderate income make them too. Sun and sea and sand is still not a private territory.

You have got to understand the floor plan, acreage, construction logistic and other things before deciding on a beach house.