Understanding American Architecture

“We have some amazing architecture in this country,” Realtor®, broker and appraiser Melanie McLane notes. “A lot of agents think they know what they’re looking at when selling a home, but they don’t often know the names for what they’re looking at.”  

McLane, a member and former president of the West Branch Valley Association of Realtors®, is hosting a session at this year’s Triple Play Realtor® Convention and Trade Expo titled “American Architecture.” The course will discuss the construction, style and architecture of homes and other buildings throughout the United States. Attendees will learn to identify architectural styles, time periods, materials used and how homes were constructed.  

“Whether you’re appraising or selling, you should know what kind of home you’re looking at,” McLane says. As an appraiser, it’s important for her to know the details of a home’s build – its construction, features, architectural style and building materials – to properly appraise its value. As a Realtor®, she often gets questions from curious potential buyers about the history of a home’s features. Knowing what style a home is built in or when and how a later addition was added provides valuable insight to buyers and helps them make important decisions throughout the homebuying process.   

“It’s going to be a fairly entertaining course,” McLane noted, encouraging her fellow Realtors® to attend. “We’re going to look at a lot of pictures.”  

Through visuals and discussion, attendees will learn more about American architecture and the influences that created it. From the evolution of Swedish log homes to the modernization of Pennsylvania’s many German-influenced triple-brick and stone farmhouses, Realtors® can attend McLane’s session to gain all-important knowledge about the homes and buildings they work with every day.  

“American Architecture” will be taught at Triple Play by McLane on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. Pennsylvania Realtors® can earn three continuing education credits by attending this session.