my 2 cents

I am looking for a house too. My impression is, if the ceiling is high enough to allow sufficient living space, a cape is OK, BUT usually with patheticly small and irredular -shape closets.
A ranch looks more plain( and IS plain character-wise), but usually have normal ceiling and normal-size closets.
It also depends on whether you like one-floor living or not. Some people prefer the bedroom quarter on a seperate floor...