Do you love the character of older homes but wonder how they live day to day? In Glendale, three styles stand out: Craftsman, Spanish Revival, and Mid‑Century Modern. Each has its own look, floor plan, and maintenance needs that can shape value and buyer appeal. This guide helps you identify the style you have or want, understand what today’s buyers prioritize, and plan smart updates that protect character while improving comfort. Let’s dive in.
Why these styles matter in Glendale
Glendale grew in two big waves. Early 20th‑century development brought many Craftsman and Spanish Revival homes. After World War II, new tracts and hillside lots added ranch and Mid‑Century Modern houses. You see the results on streets across the city today.
These styles are more than curb appeal. Each one signals different room flow, systems, and upkeep needs that affect pricing, staging, and renovation choices. Glendale also has an active Historic Preservation program, so some homes may be designated or subject to review for exterior changes. If you plan work, check City of Glendale planning and historic preservation resources and verify any needed permits before you start.
Craftsman at a glance
Craftsman features to spot
- Low‑pitched gabled roofs with wide eaves and exposed rafters or brackets.
- Large front porches with square or tapered columns on stone or brick piers.
- Wood siding, shingles, and natural materials.
- Windows with multi‑pane upper sashes over single panes, often in groups.
Craftsman floor plan and feel
- Defined rooms rather than fully open layouts, which creates a cozy, intimate flow.
- Built‑ins like bookcases, dining buffets, and window seats.
- Prominent fireplaces and original wood trim. Bedrooms are often modest in size.
What Craftsman buyers value
- Original millwork and built‑ins.
- Hardwood floors and fireplace character.
- A welcoming front porch and garden.
- Updated kitchens and baths that respect the home’s period details.
Smart Craftsman updates
- Repair original windows and trim where feasible. If you must replace, match profiles and materials.
- Keep kitchen upgrades sympathetic to the era with quality cabinetry and period‑sensitive finishes.
- Address porch structure, wood rot, and insulation so the home shows well and feels comfortable.
- Confirm electrical and HVAC capacity to meet modern needs.
Spanish Revival essentials
Spanish Revival exterior cues
- Stucco walls and low‑pitched red clay tile roofs.
- Asymmetrical facades with arched doorways and windows.
- Decorative tile at entries or stairs, wrought‑iron accents, and recessed entries or small towers.
- Courtyards or patios that extend living space.
Spanish Revival layout and flow
- Rooms often orient around a courtyard or patio for strong indoor‑outdoor living.
- Arched interior openings, plaster walls, and decorative tile details.
- Floor plans range from compact cottages to larger hacienda‑style sequences of rooms.
What Spanish Revival buyers value
- Original tilework and ironwork.
- Private courtyard spaces and flexible outdoor rooms.
- Upgraded kitchens and baths with consistent materials and style.
Smart Spanish Revival updates
- Match stucco repair texture so patches blend.
- Inspect the clay tile roof and underlayment, and tune up flashing around chimneys and valleys.
- Stage courtyards as usable living areas with lighting and seating.
- Modernize plumbing and electrical while keeping period finishes where possible.
Mid‑Century Modern highlights
Mid‑Century exterior hallmarks
- Low‑sloped or flat roofs with wide eaves and strong horizontal lines.
- Large panes of glass, sliding doors, and clerestory windows.
- Post‑and‑beam construction and exposed structure in higher‑style examples.
- Open carports or attached garages that connect to the house.
Mid‑Century plan, systems, and comfort
- Open living, dining, and family zones with clear sightlines and indoor‑outdoor flow.
- Minimal ornamentation and built‑ins that keep spaces clean and functional.
- Original single‑pane glass can be thermally inefficient, and thin roof assemblies may need attention.
- Many homes sit on slab foundations and benefit from modern mechanical upgrades.
What Mid‑Century buyers value
- Open layouts, natural light, and clean lines.
- Indoor‑outdoor connection and intact original details like hardware and clerestories.
- Respectful retrofits that maintain proportions and sightlines.
Smart Mid‑Century updates
- Evaluate low‑slope roofs for pooling or patchwork, and use materials that preserve the original profile.
- Improve window and door performance with solutions that protect sightlines.
- Keep built‑ins and signature hardware, and choose simple, period‑appropriate finishes for kitchens and baths.
- Declutter to show off volume and views.
Market and valuation insights
Style influences desirability, but appraisers will weigh condition, functionality, lot, and location more than style alone. The safest comparable sales are homes of similar era, style, and condition so any style premium or discount is recognized.
In Glendale, Craftsman and Spanish homes attract buyers who love historic charm. Mid‑Century homes appeal to buyers who prefer open plans and modernist aesthetics. Across styles, value rises when systems are updated, outdoor space is usable, and parking is convenient. Proximity to everyday amenities and views can outweigh style preferences in pricing.
If you plan to list, consider timing for any needed system upgrades, roof work, or permit‑required items so you can enter the market ready to shine.
Permits, preservation, and timing in Glendale
Some properties are locally designated or in historic districts, which can trigger design review for exterior changes. Always disclose known designations and verify the status before major work. Structural changes and many exterior repairs require permits in Glendale, and interior work that touches plumbing, electrical, or structure usually does too.
Permit timelines vary. Simple permits can take weeks. Larger projects that involve design review may take months. Build approvals into your schedule, especially if you want to complete updates before listing.
Quick prep checklists
Craftsman listing prep
- Refinish and repair original woodwork and built‑ins, and stage the fireplace.
- Address porch structure and repaint with appropriate colors.
- Repair sills, fascia, and any wood rot.
- Modernize kitchen and baths while keeping trim profiles and period cues.
Spanish listing prep
- Inspect stucco and roof tiles, and repair with matching textures.
- Clean and restore decorative tilework and wrought‑iron accents.
- Stage courtyards and patios as outdoor living rooms.
- Check drainage and waterproofing at rooflines, windows, and doors.
Mid‑Century listing prep
- Maximize daylight and show clean sightlines by removing clutter.
- Inspect low‑slope roofs and address leaks or pooling.
- Tune up windows and sliders for smooth operation and comfort.
- Preserve built‑ins and hardware and consider simple, era‑aware finishes.
Buyer quick answers
- You can modernize kitchens and baths without losing character. Aim for sympathetic updates in Craftsman and Spanish homes, and clean, streamlined materials in Mid‑Century homes.
- Original single‑pane windows can be weatherstripped or restored. If you replace them, protect sightlines and profiles, and confirm review needs if the home is designated.
- Older roofs, wiring, or plumbing may add maintenance and insurance considerations. Inspections and disclosures help you budget and avoid surprises.
- Additions or exterior changes may be restricted in designated areas. Check Glendale planning and historic preservation rules and secure permits before work.
How to choose between styles
Start with how you live. If you love a cozy, room‑based layout with classic craftsmanship, a Craftsman may fit. If indoor‑outdoor flow and decorative tile speak to you, a Spanish Revival could be ideal. If you want sunlight, open spaces, and a seamless link to the yard, Mid‑Century Modern likely suits your routine.
Then look at condition and systems. A charming home with outdated wiring or a failing roof may still be a winner, but factor upgrades into your budget and timeline. Finally, weigh your must‑have features like yard usability, parking, and commute convenience. Those are universal value drivers in Glendale.
Next steps for Glendale buyers and sellers
Whether you are deciding which style fits you or getting a period home market‑ready, the right plan protects value and reduces stress. With 35+ years serving the San Gabriel Valley, I help you identify the features that matter, price with confidence, and prepare a listing that highlights each home’s strengths.
Ready to talk strategy for your Glendale home search or sale? Schedule a free market consultation with Patricia Parish.
FAQs
What defines a Glendale Craftsman home?
- Low‑pitched gables, wide eaves with exposed rafters, a generous front porch on heavy piers, and interior built‑ins with detailed woodwork.
How do Spanish Revival homes handle indoor–outdoor living?
- Many orient rooms toward courtyards or patios, with arched openings and recessed entries that create private, usable outdoor rooms.
Are Mid‑Century homes energy efficient as built?
- Original single‑pane glass and thin roof assemblies can be inefficient, so many owners add weather upgrades that maintain sightlines and clean lines.
Do I need permits for exterior repairs in Glendale?
- Most structural changes and many exterior repairs require permits, and designated properties may need design review, so verify requirements before work.
Will updating a historic kitchen hurt resale value?
- Thoughtful, sympathetic updates usually help marketability when they respect original details in Craftsman and Spanish homes and preserve proportions in Mid‑Century homes.
