Types of House:

Ranch: Usually a long and single storey building that will probably be a timber frame with external clapboard cladding.

Cape: A typical Cape Cod house is often called a Cape. A fairly wide low timber structure that was originally a one and a half storey building.

Saltbox: Early colonial type of timber framed house with a large lean too on the back.

Farmhouse: Large rambling timber frame house with 4 – 5 bedrooms.

Condo:  An apartment building where common areas are in joint ownership. Many condo developments can be found in ski areas and by the sea

Townhouse: Similar to the Condo but usually owned and managed by an Inn or Resort.

Studio: Small bedsitting room maybe with basic kitchen and have a 2. night minimum stay.

Apartment: City apartments tend be quite small, and have a 2. 3.or 4 night minimum stay.

Cottage: This term covers a wide range of properties from very basic one bedroom, log cabins to upgraded very comfortable living accommodation.

Camp – The Camp is a classic of the New England pioneer spirit, you built a shed beside a lake or inlet up in Maine and gradually upgraded it every time you went up on holiday. Nowadays the typical Camp will still have basic amenities.

Beds:- Twins = single beds, Trundle beds = a bed stored beneath another bed.
Double or Full = 4 foot bed, Queen = 5 foot bed, King = 6 foot bed.
Sleep sofa = sofa usually in living room that folds open as a bed, often not very comfortable. Roll-aways = a fold away temporary bed, often not bad for comfort. Crib = a child’s cot. Murphy bed = bed that folds away into a recess in the wall, can be rather hard.  Day bed = a single bed that doubles up as a sofa. Bunks = come in single bunks, double bunks and a double with a single above.

Bathrooms: A full bathroom will normally include a “shower over tub” bath, basin & WC. A half bathroom will normally include a WC and basin; it may or may not have a shower. Outside shower = hot & cold water shower located on one of the outside walls of the house, it may or may not be enclosed.

Kitchen: Often a minimal description of equipment but will usually include:- a coffee maker, fridge with freezer, cooker / stove and / or microwave, selection of pans & cooking utensils, crockery & cutlery for a number of place settings. May or may not include a dishwasher.

Laundry: Not every house will have a washer/dryer or iron & ironing board.

Wraparound deck: This will be a deck that will be on at least two sides of the house.

Screened porch: This will be part of a decked area that is enclosed by netting to keep out blackflies.

Cathedral ceiling: This is usually in the main living room where the ceiling goes up to the roof of the house.

Mud room: In the mountains and ski areas a mud room is usually adjacent to an external door where you can store skis, boots & wet weather gear etc,

Precautions: See Questions to ask the Rental Agent.