If you’re looking for a new home, choosing the right style for you is the best place to start! Narrowing down your options, and weighing the pros and cons, will help you find the home that best suits your lifestyle and tastes.

Things to consider when choosing a home style:

• Is there enough space for your family and pets? (Backyard, play areas, etc.)
• How many bathrooms and bedrooms do you need?
• Are you looking for property, a yard, or gardens?
• How much parking do you need?
• How many stories do you want?
• Do you want neighbours close by?
• Do you want a garage?
• Do you want a condominium-style so you don’t have to worry about some of the maintenance?

Let’s explore the most common property types out there and discover the pros and cons of each one.  When you’re ready to take dig deeper into your home search, reach out to The David Bradica Team and let us help you find your dream home.

Types of Housing Styles

1. Detached Home

Fully detached homes are still the most popular family dwelling type in Canada. 53.6%* of homes are detached, meaning they have no shared walls, and often with both a front and backyard. Over the last three decades, this number has been slowly declining as townhomes, semi-detached houses, condos, and high-rise buildings become more popular choices.

Source – Stats Canada

Benefits of a Detached Home:

• More outdoor space and property

While not every detached home will have a yard, most will. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll have more outdoor living space when purchasing a detached house.

• Freedom to remodel as you choose

While significant changes to a dwelling may need to be approved by the city, for the most part, you are free to remodel, redecorate, and update a detached home as you see fit! You have much more freedom than renting an apartment or purchasing a condominium.

• Tends to have a higher resale value

While there is no hard and fast rule, detached homes tend to appreciate faster and thus hold a better resale value. Many factors influence resale value, such as the property’s condition and the neighbourhood.

• More square footage

For the most part, you’ll get more square footage in a detached home than with a condo or townhouse. You can also gain areas such as a finished basement, attic, or garage, which many townhomes and condos lack.

• Increased privacy

 More space between you and your neighbours means increased privacy and less noise. No more sharing walls (or floors or ceilings) with your neighbours!

Cons of a Detached Home

• You are solely responsible for maintenance and repairs

 There’s no landlord or property manager to call on for maintenance. If something needs to be repaired or updated, you’re on your own. You (or someone you hired) will be mowing the lawn, shovelling the snow, and tending to your gardens. And because you generally have more square footage, when problems do pop up, they can be more expensive to repair.  

• Longer commute to work

Because most detached homes are in suburban areas, you may end up with a longer commute to work. If you’re used to living in an urban area just minutes away from the office, this can be a definite drawback.

• Too much space

This can be a pro or con, depending on which stage of life you’re in. You don’t want to spend unnecessary time, money and energy taking care of space you’re not using.

2. Semi-detached Home

Semi-detached homes generally have many of the same features as a detached home (basement, attic, garage, and yard) but are joined together through a shared wall.

Benefits of semi-detached homes:

• Lower purchase price

One of the most significant benefits of buying a semi-detached home is the price difference. You’ll be able to purchase semi-detached for much less than a detached property.

• Maintenance savings

You may be able to share costs with your neighbour for repairs on things like replacing shingles or siding or trade-off jobs such as raking, mowing, or shovelling.  

• More space than townhouses

While smaller than detached homes, they typically give you more space than a townhouse or apartment, especially when it comes to yard space. A semi-detached house can be a great way to balance area with price – you’ll get the best of both worlds.

Cons of semi-detached homes:

• Can be loud

Depending on the type of neighbours you have, that shared wall can lead to many late nights. This is especially important to investigate before purchasing older homes that can lack proper insulation.

• Lack of Privacy

Along with a shared wall, you can also share a driveway, walkway, or front yard. Depending on your neighbour, this can be challenging, particularly when parking in a shared driveway.

• Lower curb appeal

The way your neighbour takes care of their home affects your curb appeal. If your side is nice and neat, and theirs is overgrown and full of weeds, it can affect when you go to sell someday.

• Arranging repairs

While sharing repairs can be seen as a pro, it depends on your neighbour. Things can be tricky if they disagree when repairs or maintenance need to be done on the border of your home.

3. Townhome

Townhouses have evolved to multi-floor homes on a small footprint of land and are a staple in basically every city. They can be a free-hold townhouse (meaning you own the interior and exterior property and are responsible for all maintenance, repairs, and property taxes). Or they can be part of a condominium, meaning you own the home’s interior, and the condo corporation owns the exterior and common areas. You pay a fee to them for maintenance and use of any shared amenities.

Benefits of Townhouse Living:

• Less maintenance

Townhouses usually come with less maintenance than an attached house. While you will probably have an outdoor space, it’s generally smaller and easier to care for. And if you buy a condo townhome, someone else will do all that mowing and shovelling for you!

• Better price points

Townhouses can come with lower starting prices, perfect for first-time home buyers. While some may be in highly desirable areas and come with hefty price tags, others are reasonably priced.

• Prime location

Many townhouses are in urban areas close to amenities. New townhome developments are consistently being built in prime locations.

• Greater sense of community

Having many neighbours close by makes it easier to develop a sense of community. You’ll often share yards and see each other out frequently, making it the perfect setting for young families.

• More amenities

Shared amenities may also be open to residents if you are part of a condominium townhouse. Some may have programs like trash service or common areas such as gardens, swimming pools, or exercise facilities.

Cons of Living in a Townhouse:

• Less privacy

This depends on the type of person you are and the type of neighbours. If you are a private person, sharing a wall, yard or driveway with a neighbour may not be your cup of tea.

• Space limitations

Some townhouses don’t have large yards, garages, or a lot of storage space. There may also be limitations on updates and renovations.

• Resale Value

Depending on your situation, a townhouse may not hold its resale value as well as a detached home. Some builders will replicate the same design again every few years, recreating the same house but newer.

4. Condominium  

Condominium living provides a unique experience to homeownership. When purchasing a condo, you buy a unit that is part of a larger development. You own the unit and share common areas such as a swimming pool, fitness centre, gardens, or a garage. You are responsible for the interior of your home and pay a fee for the condo corporation to tend to the grounds and common areas.  

Condos can be either high-rise buildings, townhouses, or even detached homes as part of a larger community. If you are looking for extra amenities and have no desire to mow your grass or shovel your driveway, a condo can be the perfect solution!

Benefits of Condominium Ownership:

• Fewer responsibilities

Because you are only responsible for the interior of your home, you’ll have no grass to cut, gardens to tend, or walkways to shovel. You’ll also have fewer home repairs.

• Extra amenities

Many condo buildings have extra on-site amenities shared between residents, which you may otherwise not be able to afford. Having a sauna, swimming pool, and fitness centre in your building can be a great incentive to buy a condo!

• Enhanced security

Many buildings have security on-site for additional peace of mind. You also know you have neighbours close by if you travel often. 

• You have voting rights

You do have a say in how the condo corporation runs. Any significant decisions will be put to the vote.

• Community & lifestyle

Condo groups can be geared towards a specific lifestyle – some may be geared towards seniors, while others have mostly young professionals. Many also have homeowners’ associations that host social events and recreational activities for a greater sense of community.

Cons of Condominium Ownership:

• You pay condo fees

While it means many jobs are done for you, you may also be paying fees for amenities you don’t use. If you don’t use the gym or swimming pool, this can be a wasted expense.

• You have less say

You may not be able to decide when maintenance and repairs get done. There may also be possible restrictions on noise levels, parking, pets, and repairs or renovations.

• Less personal space

You will have less private space that is solely yours as many of the amenities and common areas are shared spaces.

• Potential for disruptive neighbours

You can’t choose your neighbours! It’s the luck of the draw if you move into a community of like-minded people or if you get stuck with loud and rowdy neighbours.  

Knowing your options and weighing the pros and cons of each type of homeownership will help you choose the property that is just right for you!  When you’re ready to discuss your future housing needs with a professional realtor, reach out to The David Bradica Team, we’d be happy to help you on this exciting journey to home ownership!