GROUR 5 陳淑娟辛彩瑜黃玲玉 梁萃玲劉俊宏蘇貞瑜

Outline What does “ home ” means in America ？ 【黃玲玉】 Kinds of dwellings in America. 【辛彩瑜】 How to buy a house in America ？【陳淑娟】 Compare American dwellings with Taiwan ’ s. 【蘇貞瑜】

What does “home” means in America ？ A place where one lives, especially with one ’ s family. District or country where one was born. Where one has lived for a long time or to which one feel attached. A place from which something originates.

Introduction of dwellings Apartment block Detached house Duplex Ranch house Mansion Studio of loft Tenement

Apartments block A large building divided into separate parts. A room or suite of rooms designed as a residence and generally located in a building occupied by more than one household. Usually located at midtown. The residents are mostly students, SOHO or small families. castle-von-apartment-block of Boston

Walk-up apartments （ No elevator ） Low-rise apartments (maximum 5 stories)

Mid-rise apartments (6-15 stories) High-rise apartments (over 16 stories)

Detached house It ’ s not connected to another building on any side. Usually located at the suburban area of a city. People of high income like lawyers, bankers, artists etc., are the majority.

Detached house1

Detached house2

Duplex A type of house that is divided so that it has two families. A house divided into two living units or residences, usually having separate entrances An apartment having rooms on two adjoining floors connected by an inner staircase.

Duplex1

Duplex2

Ranch house A long, rectangular and narrow house built on one level, usually with a roof that doesn ’ t slope much. A house on a ranch, in which the ranchers live. Now some ranches also change into vacationlands. Trout Creek ranch house

An early ranch house

The ranch house of Boy’s Ranch in the Northwest Arkansas

Mansion A separate dwelling in a large house or structure with luxurious materials and beautiful garden. It was once the noblesse or dignitary ’ s dwelling place. As an official residence. The Governor's Mansion for Alabama's chief executive

The Governor's Mansion in State of Washington

Studio of loft A raised area above the main part of the dwelling, usually for sleeping or storing goods, but has been changed into living space or work space for artists like painters, musicians, photographers, and dancer etc.

Music studio

Loft for sleeping

Tenement A large building divided into apartments, especially in the poorer areas of a city. A rundown, low-rental apartment building whose facilities and maintenance barely meet minimum standards.

Tenement House in Brooklyn

Tenement houses in New York City Manhattan, Lower East Side, Orchard Street

New York City tenements, have narrow connected living spaces and shared bathrooms. The use of space was flexible — living rooms could serve as bedrooms or work rooms — and privacy was not expected.

How to buy a house in America ？ Organize your files Laws of home buying Finance a home Homeowner insurance Choose an agent

A.The only person looking out for you is you! B.Why you want to buy a house? C.How much you can offer? D.Where you want to live? Laws of Home Buying

Organize your file A.Can you even afford a house right now? B.Start planning 6 Months before you apply for a home mortgage.

Choose an agent A."Real Estate Agent" Is Just Another Name For "Salesperson". B.You cannot guarantee impartiality. C.Choosing A Good Real Estate Agent

Finance a home Find a mortgage brokers ： Mortgage brokers are companies that sell mortgages for many different banks and lenders. They usually get a commission based on a flat fee or a percentage of the loan, paid by the lender. Brokers can be useful in quickly getting you a loan, because they represent many different types of mortgages, and one of them is bound to be ideal for your financial situation.

Homeowners Insurance A.Flood Insurance B.Windstorm Insurance C.Earthquake Insurance D.Life insurance

Compare American dwellings with Taiwan’s. Scheme for houses. Material of construction for houses. Space. Form of houses.

Apartments in Taiwan

Detached house in Taiwan

Residential quarter in downtown