If you've got a thing for symmetry, you'll love these colonial houses. This style of architecture has its roots in the building methods brought by the first European settlers – think Dutch gables, the wooden houses of New England and Georgian stone cottages. It's not hard to see the appeal – the steep, side-gabled roofs, balanced sash windows and central front door are the very definition of perfect proportions. Take a tour and see why these historic houses are top of the real estate bucket list

If you like your properties historic and interiors cosy, look no further than this cute colonial-style home in downtown Hudson, Ohio. With its handsomely weathered green wooden exterior and smartly landscaped front yard, we reckon this historic house looks just as wholesomely attractive as it did when it was built in 1883.

Inside you'll find a generous 3,865 square feet of living space, including a formal living room and dining room boasting a unique mural. The country cottage-style kitchen features plenty of cabinet space and an island, plus it opens up onto a family room complete with fireplace and outdoor access.

Upstairs you'll find three bedrooms, along with the main bathroom and a laundry room. Be sure to claim the master bedroom; it comes with four closets, a fireplace and its very own staircase to the family room.

The property is set on a quarter of an acre, which features manicured gardens and mature trees. And this property has an extra bonus: a private carriage house that fits two cars. No street parking for you.

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Fancy living the American Dream? Pick this white clapboard colonial-inspired farmhouse in Annapolis, Maryland. With an acre of grounds, there is plenty of privacy to be had yet you are just minutes from downtown where you'll find restaurants, shopping and marinas aplenty – not to mention a popular water park. 

Built in 1900 but recently renovated, the four-bedroom property is ready to move into right away. Inside there's 3,304 square feet of living space and while the design is modern, there are nods to the past in the finished oak floors.

The rooms are well proportioned and incredibly light thanks to the bright colour scheme and floor-to-ceiling windows towards the rear of the property. The kitchen is bright and practical, while the dining room enjoys access to the outside deck. Anyone for dinner al fresco?

There are four good-sized bedrooms, along with four bathrooms – so getting ready in the morning will be a doddle. Outside there's a deck for enjoying your morning cup of coffee but otherwise, the outside space is yours to put your own stamp on. From setting up a vegetable patch and potting shed to installing a hot tub, there’s plenty of room for all your outdoor pursuits here. 

If you're looking for colonial good looks in a village setting, look no further than this circa-1900 property in Rumstick Village near Barrington, Rhode Island. Inside, the four-bedroom property has been modernised but great care has been taken to preserve the past which you'll notice in the refinished hardwood floors, high ceilings, period mouldings and fireplace. 

This is a seriously practical house perfectly set up for family life. The shaker-style kitchen – which features Italian Bertazzoni chef's appliances – comes with a dedicated breakfast nook area, along with a formal dining room. While the property looks good, practical upgrades have been taken into account too and the property benefits from a new hot water heater, baseboard radiators, attic insulation, electric updates and new lighting fixtures. 

The living room is a bright and airy space, perfect for relaxing. And just beyond you'll find a 'bonus' room that could be used as anything from a playroom to an office. Upstairs the modernised master suite enjoys a full bathroom with walk-in shower, along with a sitting area, shiplap feature wall and three large closets. There are three further bedrooms and two extra bathrooms.

The garage opens up directly into a mudroom and from here the laundry room is easily accessed, meaning keeping things spic and span should be easy. Outside, you'll find a screened-in porch which opens up to reveal the re-finished deck and fenced backyard beyond.

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With its grand good looks and views out over the sparkling waters of Puget Sound, this gorgeous colonial-style home on Rucker Hill in Everett, Washington, is a seriously tempting property. Built in 1908, it's been home to just two families over the years – could yours be the third? 

 

Inside there's over 5,000 square feet of living space and period details aplenty like the original oak floors. While the property has bags of old-world charm, it benefited from a complete overhaul in 1991 meaning it enjoys original architecture but with all the necessary modern conveniences.

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The generous kitchen and family room are at the centre of the house and they flow out onto the large deck outside. There's also a separate living room with waterfront views and a charming formal dining room.

Upstairs there are five bedrooms and three bathrooms, including a master suite. Meanwhile, there's also a full basement featuring a two-car garage down below. The property is sat on almost a quarter of an acre of landscaped grounds, which includes a patio with water views and veranda for escaping the summer heat.

 

For a historic house packed to the rafters with luxurious modern updates, pick this gorgeous colonial revival home in Portland, Oregon. The cream wood siding exterior, smart entranceway and landscaped front garden give this colonial beauty a serious dose of kerb appeal. 

While this property was built in 1907, it has undergone some serious updates. Inside there is 5,509 square feet of living space, which includes a chef's kitchen along with spacious dining and living rooms all decorated in a contemporary, yet historically sympathetic style. There are plenty of era-appropriate details including wooden floors and crown moulding throughout.

There are five bedrooms in total, along with three bathrooms, which make use of luxurious Calacatta marble to create a stunning effect. And as well as all the usual house trappings, you'll also find a 362-bottle wine cellar. Outside the property boasts space for five cars, along with a deck, porch and balcony set over quarter of an acre on a double corner plot. It's also just a short walk to town, where you'll find plenty of dining and shopping opportunities.

The decor inside is luxurious and tasteful. Bold colour takes this living room to the next level, and cool metallic touches in the side tables, sunburst over-mantel mirror and beautiful modern chandelier make this a space that could be used as a formal sitting room or just a place to cosy up in.

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Looking for a property that comes with plenty of land? Well, how does 66 acres of woodland and a spring-fed lake sound? That's what you get when you snap up Lakewoods, a secluded country compound nestled in the Upper Bucks County estate, Pennsylvania. While the property was originally built in 1850, it has been redeveloped over the years, all while following the exacting standards of the original architecture. 

Inside, the entrance hall boasts a hand-milled bannister and turned stairs, plus Georgia pine tongue-and-groove floors. Such close attention to detail runs throughout the 4,243-square-foot house, with beautiful woodwork, panelling and sympathetic decor. As well as four bedrooms and four bathrooms there's also a sunroom with its own library, dining room and outside porch.

The kitchen takes its inspiration from the country and features custom cabinets, French limestone counters and a large butler pantry. Appliances are top of the range and there's even a wood stove in the original walk-in fireplace. 

As well as the main manor house you'll also bag a converted barn with apartment and studio space, a carriage house with a two-car garage and living space, another two-car meeting house and ancillary buildings to boot. With all this land, a lake to fish in and such a fine house, you need never leave!

Sat on a sprawling 16 acres of pastoral land, you'll find this stunning circa-1750 granite colonial home. The land includes fields, meadows and mature trees and is boarded by five-foot fieldstone walls. So, if it's a home with character and rural charm you're after, this could be the one. 

Inside the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is jam-packed with nods to the past. From the wide plank chestnut flooring and hand-hewn beams to the attention-grabbing fireplaces, it's a property for those who appreciate well preserved architectural details. 

The spacious kitchen features traditional white cabinetry, a huge chef-style oven and on-trend open shelving for displaying your most aesthetic crockery. There’s room for a table for casual family dining, or why not add in a free-standing island for more prep space.

And the surprises don't stop with the main house. Buy this estate and you'll also be purchasing a one-bedroom guest cottage, four-car garage with a two-bedroom carriage house above it, plus a greenhouse and heated gunite in-ground pool. In addition, there are various other outbuildings including an Amish white cedar barn complete with an observation deck.

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If you want traditional colonial good looks with bags of modern conveniences, check out this gorgeous 1910 home in Spring Lake, New Jersey. Sat just a couple of roads back from the waterfront and boardwalk, this five-bedroom home is the perfect pad for a beach lover who appreciates the finer things in life.

We love the classic symmetrical look of the exterior and the expansive wraparound mahogany porch overlooking pristine gardens add even more kerb appeal. Inside there's 4,952 square feet of living space including five bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a great room with 13-foot high ceilings and a gorgeous custom-designed kitchen decked out with a marble island and Sub-Zero & Wolf appliances.

The property boasts a four-stop elevator, which takes you up to the handsome master suite, sitting room and ensuite. You can also ride it all the way down to the basement, where you'll find a billiard room, den, exercise room and bathroom.

As lovely as this property is inside, come summertime it's all about outdoor living. Throw open the French doors and take in the bluestone patio, gunite pool and cabana.

When only a mansion will do, check out this four-story Georgian colonial home at an undisclosed address in Cold Spring Harbor, New York. Built in 1910, it was purchased by American banker JP Morgan Jr. in 1933 as a wedding gift for his daughter. Sat on over five secluded acres, and boasting a raft of luxurious amenities, this is the perfect home for getting away from city life and relaxing in fine surrounds. 

With 22,000 square feet of living space, there is plenty to keep you occupied here. For rainy days, head to the movie theatre and watch your favourite blockbuster. And if you're craving movement? Head to the gym or better yet, the basketball court. Afterwards why not swing by the bar for a pre-dinner beverage?

There is, of course, your more run-of-the-mill domestic rooms here too, including a spacious kitchen with not one but two islands, a formal dining room currently dressed in red and gold, plus eight bedrooms and no less than fourteen bathrooms.

In addition, you'll also find dedicated guest quarters (lest the mansion feel overcrowded). Outside, amidst the courtyards and fountains, you'll even find a pool perfect for getting in a few laps.

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Fancy owning a property with its own Wikipedia page? Check out Bray Place. Built in 1796 by Major Samuel E. Bray and Nancy Lyle Bray, the land was granted by Thomas Jefferson in return for Samuel serving in the Revolutionary War. Given its notable history, it's no surprise the property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. 

Bray Place was constructed with the popular Federalist style in mind; an offshoot of colonial architecture, it follows the same principles but favours more elaborate ornate touches. Inside the property has 6,718 square feet of living space, including nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms.

A house of such significance and size is the perfect option for entertaining in. The spacious, modern kitchen is well kitted out for catering, while the grand dining room would be a suitably elegant room for a dinner party.

The property is sat on 2.3 acres and the landscaped grounds are perfect for a post-dinner stroll. Plus, there is parking space for 10 cars, so no need to limit the guest list. The house is also well located and enjoys easy access to downtown, highlands and the airport.