home stylesplate 09 of 09built c. 2005–todayboyenga team at compass
Modern farmhouse & new construction the rebuild era
Simple gables, board-and-batten siding, metal roof accents and a covered porch, built to California's current energy code with rooftop solar. Here is how to read one, where rebuilding runs high, what to check on a new house, and every one listed for sale now.
- for sale now · live…
- most listed in…
- median year built, listed now…
- selling silicon valley since1996
how to spot one
How to spot a modern farmhouse from the sidewalk
Farm-building forms, finished in modern materials. Hover or tap a number on the drawing to match it to the list.
Steep front gables
Prominent gables at a medium-to-steep pitch, with varied roof heights.
Board-and-batten siding
Vertical board-and-batten or panel siding that gives the front a vertical emphasis.
Barn and shed massing
A barn-like main volume with attached wings, built up from gable and shed roofs.
Metal roof accents
Standing-seam metal over a porch, bay or wing, next to shingle or synthetic roofing.
Covered porch
A front porch or covered entry on simple posts.
Rooftop solar
Required on most new low-rise homes in California since January 1, 2020.
on the market
Modern farmhouse and new homes for sale now
Every active listing in our service area that the MLS tags Farm House, whose description says modern farmhouse or (for 2000 and later) farmhouse, or that was built in 2023 or later. Use the buttons to see farmhouse style or brand-new homes only.
Loading live listings from the MLS…
How homes land here: we read each active listing’s MLS style field and its description, then check the year built. “MLS-tagged only” keeps the homes whose listing agent picked this style. Orange pins are MLS-tagged. Some listings record a style only in fields this search can’t filter on, so a few may not appear here; ask us for a full search. Listing data comes from the MLS and is shown with the listing brokerage; confirm details with the listing agent.
where to find them
Where rebuilding runs high
Neighborhoods where our guides, using county and city parcel records, find a large share of houses rebuilt or newly built. Each name opens the full guide.
Palo Alto
- MidtownAbout 180 of roughly 975 houses rebuilt since 2000.
- Crescent Park171 of 1,187 dated single-family parcels record 2000 or later.
- Old Palo AltoAbout one in five houses records a build year of 2000 or later.
- Leland Manor & GarlandAbout one in five rebuilt since 2000.
- Green AcresAbout 43 of roughly 170 houses on the smaller-lot streets date from 2000 or later.
Peninsula
- Easton Addition, BurlingameAbout 200 houses built since 2000, nearly all two stories.
- The Willows, Menlo ParkAbout 130 houses built or rebuilt since 2000.
- Mount Carmel, Redwood CityTeardowns became a flashpoint in 2018 after eight houses were replaced.
South Bay
- Garden Gate, CupertinoAbout half the houses carry a build year of 1990 or later.
- Rancho Rinconada, CupertinoAbout four in ten single-family parcels show 1990 or later.
- Monta Vista, Cupertino1950s and 1960s ranch houses and a lot of newer two-story rebuilds.
- Loyola Corners, Los AltosSmall older houses mixed with larger rebuilds.
inside
What you find inside
- systems
Heat pumps
Under the 2022 code, the standard path for new homes uses heat pumps for space or water heating, depending on climate zone.
- systems
Electric-ready circuits
Homes built with gas appliances must have 240V circuits and panel space for a future heat pump, heat pump water heater and electric cooktop.
- systems
Battery-ready
New one- and two-unit buildings must be ready for battery storage.
- warranty
Warrantied finishes
Builders selling new homes must give at least a one-year written warranty on the fit and finish of cabinets, flooring, walls, countertops, paint and trim.
the nerd check
Buying or selling one
What we check when you buy
- Final permits and occupancyConfirm the permit was finaled. In Los Altos the signed final inspection record serves as the certificate of occupancy; Santa Clara offers a temporary certificate when a home is occupied before the final.
- Builder warranty paperworkCalifornia's Right to Repair Act sets construction standards, requires the one-year fit-and-finish warranty and generally limits claims to 10 years after completion. Ask for every warranty document.
- Solar: owned, financed or leasedA lease or PPA must be assumed, kept or bought out at sale, and some solar loans and PACE assessments put a lien on the property.
- Energy-code documentsAsk for the installation certificates for solar and battery, and any heat pump commissioning records.
- Drainage and gradingOn rebuilt lots, ask for the approved grading and drainage plan and the final grading sign-off.
- HOA and CC&RsGet any CC&Rs and association approvals; some associations review exterior work before the town does.
- Special taxesParcels in a community facilities district pay a yearly special tax. Gilroy lists two districts, and Morgan Hill's Fisher Creek district taxes 108 residential parcels. Check the tax bill.
- SB 9 and ADU statusIf the lot was split under SB 9, the applicant signed a three-year owner-occupancy affidavit, rentals must be longer than 30 days, and the lot can't be split again.
How we market one when you sell
- Build a documents folderPermit final, builder warranties, energy certificates, the solar contract and any HOA approvals.
- Name the materialsStanding-seam metal, board-and-batten panels, window types: list them by material, not just by look.
- Explain the energy systemsSolar size and ownership, heat pumps, and any battery or electric-ready provisions.
- Disclose special taxesState any district tax up front so it appears in buyers' cost comparisons.
- Show the site workDrainage, hardscape and landscaping show the lot was finished along with the house.
Under SB 9, cities must approve up to two units on a single-family lot and a one-time lot split without discretionary review, subject to objective standards. Saratoga requires design review for any new house, Los Altos for new two-story homes, and single-story overlays in Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Cupertino and Los Altos limit replacement homes to one story. We check what a lot allows before you buy it to build.
questions
Questions we hear
What makes a house a modern farmhouse?
Simple gable forms, vertical board-and-batten siding, metal roof accents and a covered porch. Design standards that define the style describe those features.
Is solar required on new homes?
Yes, for most new low-rise homes since January 1, 2020. Additions and alterations are exempt, and exceptions apply.
What warranty comes with a new home?
Under the Right to Repair Act (SB 800), builders must provide at least a one-year written fit-and-finish warranty, and construction-defect claims are generally limited to 10 years after completion.
Can a second unit be added, or the lot split?
SB 9 requires ministerial approval of up to two units and a one-time lot split in single-family zones. An unsplit lot can combine SB 9 units, ADUs and junior ADUs up to four units.
Do new homes pay special taxes?
Some do. Parcels inside a community facilities district pay an annual special tax, as in Morgan Hill's Fisher Creek district.
all home styles
Every style in the field guide, by era
Bars show the years each style was mostly built here. See the full field guide.
- 01Victorian & Edwardian1870s–1910s
- 02Craftsman & bungalow1905–1930
- 03Spanish & Mediterranean1915–1940
- 04Tudor, storybook & traditional1920s–1940s
- 05California ranchlate 1930s–1970s
- 06Mid-century modern1945–1975
- 07Eichler1949–1974
- 08Modern & contemporary1970s–today
- 09Modern farmhouse & new construction2005–today
talk to a property nerd
Buying new, or building?
Call us to review a new home's documents, a lot's rebuild rules, or the value of what you'd build. Commissions are negotiable, and we offer bundled services, so ask us what’s included.
Questions about Modern farmhouse & new construction homes? Send us a note.
