Homeownership is one of the most important decisions a person can make in their lifetime. With so many property types to choose from, it can be challenging to determine which is best for you and your family. Let’s dive into the advantages and disadvantages of different homes – from condos and townhouses to detached single-family homes and multi-family dwellings – to help you decide which type is right for you.

Types of Home Ownership

• Freehold Ownership – You purchase the home and the land it sits on.

• Condominium Ownership – You own specific parts of one building: titled ownership of your unit, along with shared ownership in the condo corporation that owns the common spaces and amenities.

• Co-Op Ownership – You own an exact portion of the building as a whole and also have exclusive use of your unit.

Condos

First, let’s look at condos and condo townhouses. They typically come with smaller living spaces than other homes but have lower associated costs due to shared maintenance responsibility among all unit owners. These types of housing provide an excellent opportunity for people who want to live in a community setting with access to shared amenities such as swimming pools or gyms, but who need to save up a little longer or inclination to purchase an entire detached home.

What you are purchasing and owning is the dwelling unit: the interior space inside the condo building. All other aspects are owned jointly with the other unit purchasers, such as the building walls, facilities, and surrounding land. The purchase agreement will clearly outline your property rights regarding extras such as the locker, parking space, backyard or balcony.

Freehold Townhouses

A freehold townhouse is more like a fully detached home where you own the land and the townhouse on it. You are responsible for maintaining the property’s interior and exterior and everything that comes with it including snow and garbage removal, and lawn care. You have complete autonomy over your townhouse and do not have to consult your neighbours on any changes you want to make to your home. Freehold townhouses tend to be more expensive and rarer than condo townhouses, depending on the city and province.

Semi-Detached

Semi-detached homes typically have lower maintenance costs since you share some of the grounds and facilities with your neighbour.

You’ll usually find semi-detached homes in denser residential areas, making them more accessible and ideal for people who work in the city or want to be close to services like shops and restaurants. Another benefit of semi-detached homes is that they often include two distinct living spaces separated by a partition wall, making it easier to manage noise if you have children or pets needing their own space.

Detached

This type of residence provides more spacious living quarters than condos or townhouses. It typically has a yard or outdoor space – perfect for anyone who wants the privacy and freedom that comes with owning and maintaining a home without having to worry about shared property upkeep costs.

Multi-Family Dwelling

An apartment building or duplex might be on your search list if you want an investment opportunity and a larger build. Multi-family dwellings offer several benefits beyond traditional residential properties. There’s the potential rental income that can help offset mortgage payments plus tax deductions for certain expenses related to the residence, such as repairs or advertising units when vacant.

You can quickly look for homes with a basement unit or a duplex, triplex, or fourplex thanks to the filtering and segmentation features included in Zoocasa’s search system. Using these filters, you’ll find multi-family properties in your area.

No matter which type of dwelling you choose, it’s essential to carefully consider all options before choosing the right home for your needs and lifestyle! 

Zoocasa(Abbey Cole, April 15,2023)