Whichever way you look at it, where we choose to live says a lot about our lifestyle. The reasons and logic behind these choices exist, and they guide our real estate decisions. We might be painfully aware of them, or they might only occupy our subconscious mind, but we all have them. We all want to own a home, something that is considered a significant achievement, where our families and lifestyles can fit.
Whether we are aware of this or not, our homes tend to reflect our lifestyles and personalities. When you start your journey on the real estate market, you’ll encounter different types of homes that fit different types of lifestyles. Choosing the one that best fits your family’s lifestyle could be as natural as breathing but isn’t always. You have to be aware of what your family’s needs are, what your lifestyle demands, and what your priorities are.
In the following article, we’ll exemplify some types of residential homes and talk about the lifestyle they fit best. Starting your homeownership adventure is daunting in the best of cases. Simplifying the selection process is a starting point. Still, working with a real estate agent will provide ample benefits for everyone involved.
Condominiums, Apartments, or Units
Do you want to be a homeowner, but your busy schedule doesn’t allow you to spend too much time on the road? Or maybe you simply don’t want a yard to have to worry about, so downsizing is a great idea. It might also be that you want easy access to the city’s nightlife. Whichever the reason might be, condominiums are ideal for those with an active lifestyle. Whether they are condos or units, these types of homes are found in housing developments, small or high-rise apartment buildings, or, simply put, one unit in a building with many other similar units.
Condos can also be townhouses or other types of buildings that include more than two housing units. Those living in condos usually buy the unit, unlike with apartments that are rented. Each owner holds title to their unit while a board manages the whole building. Aside from the individual units, these buildings have common areas that are maintained by the board, also known as HOA. Things like gyms, pools, clubhouses, or other amenities are available for the residents that pay an HOA fee for the upkeep of these spaces. Depending on the types and quality of these amenities, HOA fees can range from $100 to $1,000.
Townhomes, or Duplexes
Like condos, townhomes have homeowners associations that manage and maintain the costs related to trash removal, snow plowing, or other elements that encompass the whole building. Unlike condos, townhomes can be both single-family homes or multiple dwelling units. The most significant difference between the two is that townhomes usually have two or three floors tops and are sandwiched between other similar-looking homes. They are also called row houses as they share sidewalls with the houses next to them. The residents of townhomes own both the interior and exterior of their unit. Like condos, townhomes have homeowners associations that manage and maintain the costs related to trash removal, snow plowing, or other elements that encompass the whole building. If it is a single-family home, an existing backyard would also be included in the property title.
Duplexes are included in this group as they also share side walls or common spaces among the residents. But just like townhomes or condos, they have one entrance that faces the road. Once you enter the building, you’re either in your home and share sidewalls with a neighbor, or you go to your unit and share an entrance, lobby, or stairs with other people.
These types of houses are located within the city’s borders and are growing in popularity among young professionals and young families. They offer proximity to the workplace, shops, cafes, restaurants, and city centers, increasing their appeal among millennials. Given the fact that they can be older, they can be updated and renovated for your family’s needs. They are also considered a sustainable option for those who want to live in the city but have their own space that is not always limited to one bedroom, one bathroom, and a kitchen. Turning an older home green isn’t always easy or cheap, but it is more affordable than building one from scratch. It all depends on your connection with the home and the level of environmental responsibility you want to adopt.
Suburban Homes, or Single-Family Homes
Whether you build a new home from scratch or buy an older home, the suburbs are incredibly appealing for young families. The amenities available in the suburbs fit family life better than those in the vibrant downtowns, and the level of safety is an evident bonus for a suburban neighborhood. When it comes to prices, as the market is constantly changing, we can no longer state without a doubt that suburban single-family homes are more affordable than a house in the city. Because the suburb is still a recent concept, single-family homes in the suburb are newer. This means that you’ll need less work and expenses to upgrade your home.
Single-family homes aren’t only the unit that includes the rooms and homes organization. Owning a single-family home in suburbs or cities means that you own the home and the piece of land on which the home is placed. Usually, the home is placed in the lot’s center with space left on all sides with a bigger area allocated for the backyard. The suburban sprawl is slowly becoming a norm, despite it being the least sustainable option for land use for one family. But everyone wants a backyard where you won’t get neighbors sneaking a peak or disturbing you in any way.
Rural homes, or Farmhouses
The suburb, like its name underlines, is the sub-urban option. Suburbs give access to multiple amenities similar to those available in cities, without the city’s high population density. It’s easy to see why many families chose to move to these communities. However, rural homes or farmhouses are one step further from the city, both from a proximity perspective and access to amenities. The lifestyle that best fits these homes is slow-paced and more relaxed. A closeness to nature and a more natural way of life are also part of the rural experience.
These rural homes or farmhouses are found in an even lower population density than the suburbs. They include a much larger lot than suburban homes on which people can grow food and use the produce in their households. Prices vary as these homes can be extravagant mansions or tiny houses in the middle of the forest. Shops are farther away, so you might not always want to drive for an hour only to get to a Seven-Eleven convenience store. The whole property can be fenced in or not, depending on the size and necessities.
Conclusion
The type of home you pick is up to you, but once you choose, it will either fit your lifestyle or your lifestyle will have to fit it. It’s impossible to have an active social life or nightclubs and restaurants when you live in the countryside, just as it’s impossible to own a horse in a high-rise apartment complex downtown. A family with younger children will enjoy the suburban lifestyle for its safety, community, and amenities. Still, once those children grow up, they’ll most likely move to the big city in a condo or townhome.
Look at your lifestyle and establish your priorities. Do you want to have easy access to the cultural scene of your area, or are school ratings more critical? While we can change our lifestyles to fit our homes, they are a bit more challenging to change once they’re purchased. Decide wisely and make an informed decision for the household—no point in stating that this decision is simpler for singles.
