Story-and-a-Half (1.5 Story) Homes for Sale

Browse story-and-a-half (1.5 story) homes for sale across Fargo, Moorhead, and the wider MN/ND market — from affordable character homes to lake-country cabins. Call 701-205-5517.

Story-and-a-half homes — also called 1.5-story or Cape Cod — pair a full main floor with a partial upper level tucked under a sloped, dormered roof. It’s one of the most characterful and versatile styles in the region, ranging from affordable older homes in established Fargo-Moorhead neighborhoods to lake-country cabins and custom builds with vaulted great rooms and upper lofts.

Why Buy a Story-and-a-Half Home in Fargo-Moorhead?

Story-and-a-half homes are one of the most flexible and characterful styles in the Fargo-Moorhead and greater MN/ND market. The layout pairs a full main floor — often with a main-level primary bedroom — with a partial upper floor set under a sloped roof, typically lit by dormer windows. That gives you the best of both worlds: single-level convenience on the main floor plus private bedroom or bonus space upstairs.

In established Fargo and Moorhead neighborhoods, story-and-a-half homes are frequently the most affordable single-family entry point. Many are charming older Cape Cod and bungalow-style homes near Oak Grove, NDSU, central Moorhead, and Concordia — character homes with hardwood floors, built-ins, and mature lots, often priced below comparable two-story or rambler inventory.

The style also spans the higher end. Newer custom story-and-a-half homes feature dramatic vaulted great rooms open to a second-floor loft, while lake-country properties across Minnesota use the 1.5-story form for cabins and year-round lake homes that maximize views and sleeping space under the roofline.

Practical notes for buyers: the upper level’s sloped ceilings (knee walls) create cozy, efficient bedrooms but reduce usable floor area versus a full second story — worth measuring if you need specific furniture to fit. Heating and cooling the upper level can differ from the main floor; ask about zoning or a mini-split. For buyers who want main-floor living with extra room upstairs for kids, guests, or a home office, the story-and-a-half is hard to beat on value.

Best Neighborhoods

In the metro, story-and-a-half homes cluster in Fargo-Moorhead’s established neighborhoods — north Fargo near Oak Grove and NDSU, central and south Moorhead near Concordia and MSUM, and older sections of West Fargo — on mature, tree-lined lots. Beyond the metro, the style dominates Minnesota’s lake country, where it’s the go-to form for cabins and lakefront homes. Verify school assignment by address.

Browse Story-and-a-Half Homes (12+)

341 Prairiewood S Circle, Fargo, ND 58103 — $146,900 · 2 bd / 1 ba
11245 E Steamboat Bay Drive, East Gull Lake, MN 56401 — $3,995,000 · 7 bd / 6 ba
37743 495th Lane, Palisade, MN 56469 — $385,000 · 3 bd / 1 ba
2504 18th S Street, Moorhead, MN 56560 — $428,500 · 5 bd / 4 ba
546 Quadna Mountain Road, Hill City, MN 55748 — $259,900 · 3 bd / 2 ba
538 Quadna Mountain Road, Hill City, MN 55748 — $249,900 · 3 bd / 2 ba
506 5th Street, Wyndmere, ND 58081 — $425,000 · 4 bd / 5 ba
29747 Silent Shore Drive, Dent, MN 56528 — $385,000 · 3 bd / 1 ba
1415 Oak Street, Brainerd, MN 56401 — $199,900 · 3 bd / 2 ba
1908 20th S Avenue, Fargo, ND 58103 — $265,000 · 4 bd / 2 ba
2101 Frohn NE Road, Bemidji, MN 56601 — $338,000 · 3 bd / 2 ba
17136 Hidden Lake Road, Fifty Lakes, MN 56448 — $680,000 · 3 bd / 3 ba

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a story-and-a-half home?

A story-and-a-half (also called 1.5-story or Cape Cod) home has a full main floor plus a partial upper floor built under a sloped roof, usually lit by dormer windows. The upper level has angled ceilings along the outer walls (knee walls). Many have a main-floor primary bedroom with additional bedrooms or a bonus room upstairs.

How is a story-and-a-half different from a two-story?

A two-story has two full floors of equal size stacked under a flat-ceiling roofline. A story-and-a-half has a full main floor and a smaller upper floor tucked under a sloped roof, so the upstairs has angled ceilings and less usable square footage. Story-and-a-half homes often cost less per square foot and offer main-floor living that two-stories don’t.

How much do story-and-a-half homes cost in Fargo-Moorhead?

It’s a wide range. In established Fargo and Moorhead neighborhoods, older story-and-a-half homes are often the most affordable single-family option — many in Fargo fall in the $180,000-$300,000 range. Across the broader MN/ND market the median is closer to $375,000, with lake-country and custom homes running well into the high six and seven figures.

Are story-and-a-half homes good for main-floor living?

Often, yes. Many story-and-a-half homes place the primary bedroom and a full bath on the main floor, with secondary bedrooms upstairs. That makes them popular with buyers who want to live primarily on one level while keeping extra space for kids, guests, or an office — without the full footprint (or price) of a rambler.

Where are story-and-a-half homes found in the area?

In the metro, they concentrate in established neighborhoods — north Fargo near Oak Grove and NDSU, central and south Moorhead, and older parts of West Fargo. The style is also the dominant form in Minnesota lake country, where it’s widely used for cabins and lakefront homes. Newer custom versions with vaulted great rooms appear in higher-end subdivisions.

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(701) 205-5517 — Jim Christl & Shannon Barnum, Modern Market REALTORS®

Modern Market REALTORS® — Jim Christl (Broker) & Shannon Barnum (Associate Broker). Serving Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo, Horace, Detroit Lakes, and Minnesota lake country. Call (701) 205-5517.