Is a Detached House Right for You? Here's What to Consider

Homes come in all shapes and sizes, but perhaps the best known type of home is the detached house, or single-family home. We’ll walk you through the pros and cons of owning a detached family home.

A detached house is a freestanding house that sits on its own plot of land. Unlike a rowhouse, townhome or condominium, a single-family home does not share walls with any other residential dwelling unit. In addition to offering open space on all sides, detached houses usually provide some form of greenspace in most cases. This can include a front yard, a backyard and side yards. With this type of housing, you usually own the home, as well as the land that it sits on. This means that you have a bit more control over what you can do with the property. For example, with single-detached housing, you are more likely to be able to build an addition, such as a sunroom or an in-law suite.

• Freestanding structure: A single-family home does not share a wall, roof or foundation with any other nearby homes. 
• Full property ownership: You have full ownership of the house and the land that it is built on. This makes single-family homes a sound investment and offers greater control to update and renovate your property.
• Greenspace: Detached homes can have a front yard, a backyard and even side yards. With semi-detached houses the greenspace is typically more limited. 
• More living space: While some townhomes and rowhouses can be quite big, detached family homes generally have more interior space. 

The main difference between single-family homes and semi-detached houses is that the latter share at least one wall with another home. Townhomes, duplexes and rowhouses are among the most common types of homes that are semi-detached. While single-family homes can have one floor or multiple levels, semi-detached homes often have a smaller footprint and are more likely to have multiple floors to maximize the living space.

• Available amenities: A large condo development or townhome community might include a pool, tennis courts or an exercise facility. 
• Shared ownership: You own your home, but may also be responsible for common areas and shared building structures, such as the roof and foundation. 
• Shared walls: You will share at least one wall with a neighbor in a semi-detached home.
• Similar design: The homes in these developments typically have a common exterior design. It’s also likely that many of the units have similar interior floor plans.

There are significant differences between detached houses and multi-family homes that share at least one common wall. Here are the main advantages of buying a single-family home.

While not every single-family home has a yard, most do. Detached homes generally have a front yard and backyard. That greenspace can be an important component of family living, particularly if you have young children or just want your pets to have a place to play. If you have a green thumb you may want a plot of land to grow anything from tomatoes to lilacs. A well-maintained yard can also be a great place for outdoor activities. A real estate agent in your area can help you find a home in your area with the outdoor space that you’re looking for. 

When you buy a single-family detached house, the property is yours. Unless you are subject to an HOA or strict zoning ordinances, you’ll have the freedom to update, renovate and expand the home on your property. You won’t run into issues if you want to build an addition, add a deck or construct a detached garage.

Single-family homes generally offer a greater level of privacy than semi-detached homes. Townhomes, rowhouses and duplexes all share walls with neighbors. Meanwhile, condo units can share not only walls, but also floors and ceilings. As a result, you may hear conversations, loud music and other noises from your neighbors. What’s more, there’s a chance that your neighbors can also hear noise that comes from your home.

While the size of detached houses can vary, they are generally larger than other types of homes. Depending on where you live, the homes for sale in your area may also offer the additional space of an attic or basement. You might find those features in a townhome or duplex, but they are less likely to be available if you’re looking at condominiums. If you want room to grow your family, a detached home will typically provide more space to do so.

A single-family home is not the best choice for every buyer. This list of potential cons will help you decide if a townhouse, condominium or duplex might be a better fit for you.

Condominium and townhome developments often have significant amenities. For example, they can have swimming pools, fitness centers and tennis courts. They have been designed with the idea that people will use some or all of these amenities, and that residents in these developments will appreciate these features. Condo and townhome developments typically require you to pay HOA fees for maintenance, but sometimes those dues also cover certain utilities, such as gas, water or trash collection. With a detached home, you generally will not have access to amenities like this unless they are built on your property, and you’ll be responsible for setting up and paying for all of the utilities.

If you live in an apartment building or condo, the management company will take care of issues such as exterior repairs, clogged gutters or ponding water. Left unattended, water could accumulate and seep into your roofing system and walls. Fortunately, with regular maintenance, these small issues are caught before they become bigger issues that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.However, every maintenance and repair issue on a single-family detached home falls upon the homeowner. If you’re handy you might be able to take on some issues yourself, but larger jobs will require help. You’ll need to maintain your lawn and landscaping, shovel snow and be mindful of potential repairs.

While a single-family home offers a greater level of privacy, the trade off is that living in your own freestanding home may make you feel somewhat isolated, especially if you live alone. Condos and townhomes have a community of residents around at all times, but a single-family home in a remote area might make you feel as though you need to take extra steps to keep your house secure. This could include upgrading the locks on the exterior doors, installing exterior lighting with motion sensors, adding a security system or installing a fence.  

Single-family homes are typically more common in suburban and rural areas, so you may have a longer commute to work than if you lived in an urban setting. Even outside of downtown areas, you’ll find that many attached home developments are near main highways or strategically built with close access to public transportation. This means that these residents can access those main roads quicker or get to public transit more easily.

If a homeowner is single, or becomes single due to a divorce or death of a spouse, the space afforded by a detached home may be overwhelming. For some people, all of that extra space may also feel too difficult or time-consuming to take care of.

A detached home is likely the right choice if you want the greenspace that a yard provides, or require the space needed for family members and guests. This type of home is also a great choice if you value privacy, since single-family homes put a little bit more distance between you and your neighbors.