Four walls, four sides, four corners – most homes take on the shape of a rectangle. I don’t know if rectangular homes rule because they’re just easier to build compared to other shapes, like a triangle or hexagon, or if that’s what the first settlers used in colonial America and we’ve adhered to that standard.

In a city where the “average” starter home begins at $350,000, choosing the best house boils down to location. However, after the location is sorted out, the next question is do I go with a better floor plan or more square feet?

An open floor plan refers to a home with a central room, also called a “great room,” that integrates the main living spaces—the kitchen, dining room, and living room—into one open room. Homes with open floor plans often have exposed beams or posts because the great room lacks the walls and ceilings to hide them.