If the addition is designed well, sensitively to the architecture of the home and pleasing in its own right, it should overcome any initial preconceived bias regarding split level home styles on the market.

However, the distinct drawback of adding a split level to a raised ranch (typically a single story) is the introduction of a significant change in floor level within the interior floor plan and the implications that has on accessibility. It's one thing for the mobility impaired to negotiate a change in floor level at the entry, once to get inside a home, and completely another to have to do it on a daily basis as part of living in it.

The latter is something you would be well advised to consider with respect to your home's resale value.

What's the reason to split the level of the addition?

Thank you for the note. Currently, the finished basement which is meant to be the family room is barely used by me and my husband. this is because we're on the top floor in the kitchen or living room, for most part, cooking or cleaning. By having a level between the current two levels, and opening to both the existing levels we hope to have a more open concept, and better utilization of the kitchen, living room, combined with the basement, which will effectively give us a much bigger great room, than if we had it on the top level alone. Does that make sense?

Sorry, I missed that you mentioned two living levels and assumed a typical raised ranch consisting all of one level. With living spaces already divided into two levels, the notion of adding a third on the split is not nearly as problematic from the accessibility standpoint.

It sounds like what you have is a split entry: two distinct levels of living, not three. In that case adding a split level would, I think enhance the flow from level to level, especially if there is the remaining existing stair that allows transition from upper to lower without passing through the split level (one of the complaints against split level living.)

Whether such a split level addition affects future sales is really a question to be posed to local professional realtor(s). They'd be the best placed to answer that.

Thank you ReSquare Architecture + Construction. You are right what we have is a split entry currently and I want to add a level that makes the accessibility from the current top to the new middle to the current bottom level a bit easier and enhance space utilization. As per your recommendation I'll also talk to local realtors - I hadn't thought of that before. Thanks for the suggestion.

Thank you very much iplay10s. Didn't think of the getting older part (yet .. though we're no spring chicken either), but that's another valid point in my research in favor of going for it. I so need and appreciate such advice!

I don't know if you're still thinking about this or if its already underway. I have no professional advice on how to do it, but just a couple of thoughts. You mentioned making the kitchen space a master suite. That's a pretty good idea if you can work it to make the existing water lines go to a new bathroom. You will have to tear into your ceiling in the basement to run a sewer line from the toilet. Just something to think about.

My aunt & uncle have a split level that I always thought was very nice. You enter the house basically at ground level where the kitchen, dining & living room are. There are side by side stairs in the hall by the kitchen. Up takes you to 3 bedrooms & 2 baths (includes master). Down takes you to a large den with fireplace, office, laundry room, and bathroom. There's also a door that leads outside on the back of the house. This is at ground level too because of the house sitting on a sloped space. French doors in the kitchen (back part of house) lead to a large concrete patio that is high off the ground, under which is a garage. I hope you can understand the description. The stairs from the living area to either the upper or lower areas were small so it seems easy to move from one to the other. That sounds like what you are looking for.