🏠 What Is a Shotgun House in Real Estate?

A Shotgun House is a narrow, rectangular home with rooms arranged in a straight line from front to back. Known for its long, slender layout, this historic style originated in the Southern United States and is especially common in cities like New Orleans. Shotgun houses are efficient, affordable, and space-conscious, making them a unique part of American architectural history.

How a Shotgun House Works

A traditional Shotgun house is typically just one room wide and several rooms deep. Each room connects to the next without hallways, allowing for excellent airflow and efficient use of limited lot sizes.

Key features of a Shotgun House include:

  • Narrow footprint — often 12–18 feet wide.
  • Front-to-back room layout — all rooms aligned in a row.
  • Central doors — front and back doors aligned to create a straight path.
  • One story — though "double shotgun" two-story versions exist.
  • Raised foundation — common in flood-prone Southern regions.
  • High ceilings — improve ventilation and cooling.

Shotgun houses were originally designed to maximize natural breezes in warm climates, long before air conditioning existed.

Why Shotgun Houses Matter

Benefits for Buyers:

  • Affordable entry into historic neighborhoods.
  • Simple, efficient use of space.
  • Low maintenance and reduced heating/cooling costs.
  • Unique architectural charm and cultural history.

Benefits for Sellers:

  • Rising demand in revitalized urban areas.
  • Highly distinctive style that stands out in listings.
  • Smaller footprint increases land-use efficiency.
  • Historic appeal boosts buyer interest.

Example of a Shotgun House

A typical Shotgun house might have a living room in the front, followed by a bedroom, then a kitchen, and finally a rear door leading to a small backyard. There are no hallways — instead, each room flows into the next in a straight line.

Many modern renovated Shotgun homes add updated kitchens, bathrooms, and rear additions while preserving the original narrow layout and historic façade.

Why Shotgun Houses Matter for FSBO Sellers

Shotgun houses appeal to buyers who love historic charm, urban living, and efficient design. Their small footprint and recognizable architecture often make them easier to market.

  • High demand in walkable historic districts.
  • Distinctive style attracts niche buyers.
  • Smaller size creates affordable price points.
  • Perfect for renovation-focused buyers and investors.

Listing with Flat Fee MLS through Brokerless helps Shotgun homes reach buyers searching for character-filled historic properties.

Related Real Estate Concepts

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called a Shotgun House?
According to tradition, you could fire a shot through the front door and it would pass straight out the back — because all rooms are aligned.

Are Shotgun houses still built?
Yes, modern versions appear in urban infill projects, though traditional historic ones are most common.

How big is a typical Shotgun house?
Most range from 500 to 1,200 sq. ft., depending on layout and added rear spaces.

Can Shotgun houses be renovated?
Absolutely. Many owners open walls, add rear extensions, or modernize kitchens and baths while preserving exterior charm.