Vancouver Real Estate

Home

A single family residence, or single family home is a detached home, usually with both a front and back yard, driveway, and attached garage.

Pros

• A single family residence offers greater privacy, no common walls, less intruding noise from neighbors
• Usually includes a yard which may include enough space for a lawn, swimming pool, RV parking, or other amenities
• May be able to be expanded
• Garages are common
• May have a homeowners’ association and CC&Rs

Cons

• More expensive home type
• All maintenance on a single family residence is homeowner’s responsibility
• May have a homeowners’ association and CC&Rs

Condominium

Condominiums, or more commonly referred to as condos, are essentially apartments that are individually owned:

Pros

• Condos are generally less expensive than single family homes
• You may be able to afford to live in a more expensive neighborhood
• Easy lifestyle – the condominium homeowners association often covers roof replacement, exterior maintenance, common area maintenance, and other expenses
• Condominiums often include amenities such as a community pool

Cons

• Noise from neighbors, including those above , next to, or below your unit
• Homeowners’ association fees and politics, and CC&R restrictions
• Parking at condos is often in a common area not attached to the home
• No yard
• Some condo buildings may have stairs

Townhouses

A townhouse is a dwelling that seems to combine the best amenities of a single-family home and a true condo. Many people are a bit confused about exactly what defines a dwelling as a townhouse, and some of the lines are somewhat blurred, but the true explanation of a townhouse is simple: a townhouse is a home that is attached to adjacent houses. Typically, ownership of the townhouse comes with ownership of the land that its on.

Pros

• Exterior maintenance ad repairs are minimal
• There are no neighbors above or below the home like in an apartment or a condo
• Because the homes are attached, they may offer a grater sense of security

Cons

• If there is a homeowner's association, buyers will have to pay a homeowner's fee
• There is less privacy than with a detached single-family home