2023-09-07 23:30:00
People often have the instinct of wanting to invest in a single-family home when they are ready to settle down and start a family.
This is the case of this reader who asks me: “My girlfriend and I have been saving for years in order to buy our very first home. We are hesitating between a single family home or a semi-detached. We are leaning towards a twin, but our entourage discourages us from doing so. Is this a wise choice? Why do opinions on the subject seem so divided?
Semi-detached, also called “semi-detached”, have several advantages that cannot be underestimated. Below are the pros and cons to consider before buying a semi-detached. I hope they will help you make your choice!
POUR
– A twin is less expensive and saves money.
A strong point of semi-detached homes is that they are, most of the time, less expensive than single-family homes. Not just at the time of purchase, but in the long run as well. They make it possible, among other things, to reduce energy expenditure thanks to the adjoining wall. After all, you share one side of your home with your neighbour, so heating is likely to cost less.
In addition, it is also possible to share certain expenses with your neighbour, such as snow removal or grounds maintenance costs. In the same vein, your home will require less maintenance in general than a single family, if we think of the yard which is smaller or the entrance which is separated in two.
– New constructions rely on soundproofing.
This is surely one of the most common fears when buying a semi-detached. Indeed, it is obviously more likely to hear your neighbors there than in a single-family home. On the other hand, it should be known that the adjoining walls, especially for new constructions, are increasingly thick and allow good soundproofing. Generally, this is not something that should hold you back.
– People enjoy more independence than you think.
Unlike a condo, for example, semi-detached have no (or few) common areas. Moreover, even if you share a wall with your neighbour, they are indeed two separate dwellings. Each part is managed independently by the owner, with the exception of work to be done on the party wall or the land, since this work might affect both parts of the building.
AGAINST
– There is the risk of finding yourself at the mercy of your neighbours.
Of course, having disturbing neighbors who you don’t get along with can have a very negative impact on the experience of living in a semi-detached home. At the time of purchase, you can see what kind of people your neighbors are, but they can, of course, move at any time and then you won’t have the chance to choose the new owners.
– There is less privacy than in a single-family home.
Often one shares a yard with other people or, if the yard is very small, the risk of hearing the conversations of one’s neighbors will be high. Many will choose to separate the yard with a cedar hedge, for example, which allows good privacy, but this cannot prevent the risk of hearing them closer than in the yard of their single-family home.
CONCLUSION
Admittedly, semi-detached homes are a great option for first-time buyers. They are often very spacious while costing less than single-family homes, and this aspect should not be overlooked. It all depends on the type of person you are!
Advice
Meet your future neighbors before buying, for more peace of mind. Find out regarding divided co-ownership if you buy a semi-detached; independence might be reduced.
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