Whether you’re new to the market and looking to purchase your first home or an experienced homeowner considering downsizing (or somewhere in between), our city features a vast number of diverse home styles (across countless amazing Edmonton neighbourhoods) suitable for every lifestyle, taste and budget.
If you’ve been thinking about buying a new home in the capital region but unsure which style may be right for your unique wants and needs, here are Edmonton’s top home styles revealed.
Single-Family Homes
A single-family home is a stand-alone property, maintained and used as a single dwelling unit. Unlike, say, an apartment-style condo or townhome (outlined below), single-family homes don’t share walls, or a roof, with any other structure. Sometimes referred to as a detached dwelling, other characteristics that define single-family homes include:
- Separate, large and independent lots – You own the home as well as the land on which it’s built.
- Independent utilities – The home runs on its own utilities and individual meter (not shared by any other unit or property).
- Private entrance and exit – No common hallways or entrances.
- A single owner – No “community ownership” as is the case with many condo developments.
- Various styles – Including front attached and laned single-family homes, bungalows and two (or more) storeys
Single-Family Homes: The Pros and Cons
Pro: Your own private, personal space (no shared walls)
Con: Depending on the property, single-family homes can come at a higher price point.
Pro: Single-family homes generally come equipped with more space and square footage than any other home style.
Con: With more space comes more maintenance and/or repairs, for which you will be responsible.
Pro: Single-family homes usually hold the highest resale value.
Con: You are more apt to pay higher property taxes, and you will require a larger down payment upfront.
Duplexes
Yet another one of Edmonton’s many popular home styles, duplexes provide a similar experience to single-family living. In addition to ample square footage and roomy, two (plus) storey floor plans, duplexes also offer two (plus) bedrooms and bathrooms and garage parking (in most cases). Other duplex-specific characteristics include:
- Two attached units – Although separate residences, these units share a single wall.
- Two separate entrances, garages and driveways – Each will maintain its own private entrance (front and rear) as well as its own driveway space and garage (either front attached or rear lane).
- Private rear yard space – So long as the rear yard space is partitioned, duplex owners have their own private back yard.
Duplexes: The Pros and Cons
Pro: Duplexes tend to be more affordable than single-family homes (upfront costs and utilities, property taxes and mortgage payments), yet come with many of the same perks.
Con: While a shared wall doesn’t mean shared noise, you will have a neighbour/tenant living immediately next door.
Pro: You own your lot while enjoying relatively low-maintenance front and rear yard spaces.
Con: Like a single-family home, you will be responsible for all maintenance and repairs, as well as their associated costs.
Pro: The potential for real estate investment property income (when you purchase the entire unit).
Con: While duplexes and single-family homes tend to share many of the same benefits, yard space and square footage tends to be larger in single-family home (on average).
Townhomes
Like duplexes, Edmonton townhomes maintain a shared wall with a neighbour, however, this home style tends to see shared walls on either side, unless you opt for an end unit. Because townhomes typically come in a row of several units, they’re often referred to as “row homes,” with each unit maintaining its own private front and rear entrance.
It’s also not uncommon for townhome developments to be governed by a condo board, whose role is to oversee and maintain community standards.
Other typical townhome features:
- Multi-storeyed – Townhomes ordinarily feature a minimum of two storeys (sometimes more) as well as a basement.
- Shared roof – In addition to shared walls, townhome units may also share one continuous roof.
- Private rear yard space – So long as the rear yard space is partitioned, townhome owners have their own private backyard.
Townhomes: The Pros and Cons
Pro: Townhomes are often every bit as low-maintenance as apartment-style condos (more on that below) while delivering many of the same advantages as single-family homes.
Con: While there are freehold townhome options available throughout Edmonton, many townhome developments come with monthly condo fees.
Pro: Townhomes remain one of the most affordable home styles on the Edmonton market.
Con: When opting for an Edmonton townhome, you may share a wall on either side (the good news is, these units are known for their soundproofing).
Pro: Like duplexes and or single-family homes, townhomes come in a variety of floor plans and layouts, most of which include multiple bedrooms and bathrooms (even an attached or detached garage).
Con: Depending on the townhome development you choose, you may face certain restrictions regarding the personalization of your unit, pets, parking, etc.
Apartment-Style Condos
Apartment-style condos are part of a larger, multi-story building – including high-rise, medium-rise and low-rise structures. Depending on the unit’s location within the larger structure, apartment-style condo owners may share a wall with their neighbours above, below and/or on either side. Governed by a condo board, this home style is the ultimate in low-maintenance living and is an extremely popular choice among first-time buyers and downsizers.
More on apartment-style condos:
- Shared common areas – This includes building entrances, hallways and parking amenities.
- Private outdoor space – Apartment-style condo units ordinarily come with an attached balcony or patio.
Apartment-Style Condos: The Pros and Cons
Pro: No shovelling snow, mowing the lawn, raking leaves or any other form of outdoor maintenance – it’s all taken care of for you. You may also benefit from onsite amenities, including a pool or fitness area, rooftop terrace, common parks or green spaces and more.
Con: As an apartment-style condo owner, you will likely be required to pay monthly condo fees – which are used to maintain the development’s many common areas.
Pro: Apartment-style condos are generally regarded as the most affordable home style on the market.
Con: Depending on the condo development you choose, you may face certain restrictions regarding the personalization of your unit, pets, parking, etc.
Pro: Whether you’re looking to live downtown or in Edmonton’s peaceful suburbs, apartment-style condos are available in just about every Edmonton quadrant and community (in a wide variety of styles and floor plans).
Con: As single-story units, apartment-style condos tend to offer the least amount of square footage (on average, compared to other home styles), with no private yard space.
Have questions about the many fantastic home styles and real estate opportunities Edmonton has to offer? Get in touch with us! We also invite you to download your free copy of any (or all) of our free guides via our buyer’s resources page.
Posted by Terry Paranych on
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