Since The Sims 1 era, the L-shaped houses were the basic accommodation for my family of 6 sims (I was playing 1 family all time), with pool, stairway leading to balcony, and I loved to fill entire courtyard with flowers.
See my first The Sims 2 house (2005). This is 2008 version designed to be balanced between home efficiency and realism / beautifulness.
Lot size: 2×2.
Lot facing: South.
House price: about $110.000.
House size: 8×16 squares.
Floor area: 224 squares.
Expansion needed: base game only.