Part of what makes up that character is referred to as architectural style.

During various periods of American history, different architectural styles were prevalent with builders. If you were to take a home tour around a specific town, you can get a feel for when different neighborhoods were built based on architecture of homes. Today, many new homes incorporate different aspects of these styles on exterior and interior.

The Queen Anne, Gothic Revival and Empire homes are all variations of Victorian style. Popularized after Civil War, these homes were most popular in South and West. With its intricate shapes, elaborate trimming, and fish-scale shingles, these homes truly reflect Victorian age. Inside, homes are finely detailed with stained glass windows, elaborate trim and molding, and side-by-side entry doors. Other common elements are wraparound porches and bay windows.

Greek Revival-style homes were built during 1820-1850. Many of its elements represent style of Greek Temples with columns, gable or double-sloping roofs, and pediments over windows and doors. The windows are usually square and rectangular with fan windows over entryways. The interiors are symmetrical as well, with detailed woodwork and baseboards.

Colonial homes take on simplistic style of original homes of settlers to United States. Common to this style are steep roofs with gable ends, clapboard siding and small windows on outside and wainscoting and chair rails on inside. A popular variation of Colonial-style is Cape Cod, which is usually 1 ½ stories with front door in center and two gable (triangular structure) ends.

The first and most important step for preventing identity theft is keeping a close watch on all of your personal information and your credit report.

Check your credit reports from all three bureaus at least once a year. Once you get your credit report check carefully to see that everything is accurate.

If you find an error, dispute it immediately so you can protect yourself from fraud.

Quite often similar names and similar social security numbers get mixed up, or worse, someone could have stolen your identity.

Another good way of preventing identity theft is don't carry your Social Security card or anything with your Social Security number on it in your wallet.

Keeping your social security number private is a critical part of preventing identity theft.

Also, don't keep your bank card pin number in your wallet because it helps a thief who has stolen your wallet help themselves to your cash at an A.T.M.

In this age of computer hacking, preventing identity theft also applies to Internet.

If you use Internet, make sure all your security software is up to date and be careful of Internet scams.