One-story ranch houses with attached garages, pitched roofs, and overhanging eaves gained two levels: a few steps up to the bedrooms, a few steps down to the family and utility rooms, and a garage. Split ranches provide family members additional privacy in a compact floor plan on a smaller property. These houses are ideal for families who want more space but don't need an entire yard just for themselves. A split ranch is a one-story house with an attic area above a family room or other main living area. The roof is usually flat, although some have gables or other decorative features. The sides of the house often have windows that stretch from the ground floor to nearly the ceiling, providing easy access to insects and other pests. The walls between the sections of the house are usually hollow, allowing for easy expansion if necessary. The exterior of the house is generally painted a single color, such as white or black, to make it blend in with its environment. The driveway leads up to the side door of the house, which is the only entrance. A garage is located on the opposite side of the house from the front door. Split ranches are common in Texas because they're affordable and easy to maintain. Most require little or no maintenance and can be sold easily when needed for cash flow problems.