In the real estate market there are different types of housing today. Si estás buscando alguna propiedad ya bien sea para comprar( para vivir o para invertir) o alguna vivienda para irte de alquiler, es posible que te hayan surgido algunas dudas. En algunas ocasiones no queda claro what are the differences between some homes and others, as well as the advantages, disadvantages or average price of each type of housing. It also happens many times that we call homes by the wrong name and we do not refer correctly to each type of home, as is the case with villas and single-family homes or apartments and studios, for example.
The range of housing types currently includes many options, from the cheapest and smallest homes, such as mini-flats or beehive flats, to more expensive and spacious options such as large luxurious mansions or palaces.
Knowing each type of home perfectly can be very useful to better focus on the search for the ideal home and not waste so much time contemplating options that do not suit what we are looking for, whether due to our personal needs, family size, budget, tastes or preferences, location, etc. So, if you are prepared… Let’s look at the most common types of housing that currently exist in the real estate market. First of all, we have to differentiate between two large groups that cover the rest of the types of housing: single-family and multi-family types of housing.
Types of housing: Single family vs Multi-family
The main difference between these two is that while single-family homes are built to house a single family, multi-family homes are built with a multitude of families in mind.
Another of the big differences is the type of construction of each one. The Single-family homes are usually a type of horizontal construction, with not too many heights (this includes detached and semi-detached villas, bungalows, detached houses) while multi-family homes are usually of vertical construction and of higher height (this would include apartments, studios, duplexes, penthouses, flats, ground floors with terrace, loft or apartment attics)
It is important to know how to differentiate between vertical and horizontal construction, but at the same time these two with two other concepts: horizontal property and vertical property.
Do not confuse vertical and horizontal construction with horizontal property and vertical property.
Vertical property is property that belongs to a single person, while horizontal property belongs to several different people.
In the first case, all premises, homes, garages… They belong to a single property so there is no community of neighbors and the owner will seek to make a profit from the properties by leasing.
In the case of horizontal property, each one has exclusive rights over their property and they are also co-owners of the common spaces (staircase, elevator…). Condominium is the more common form of the two.
Single-family homes
Common characteristics in single-family homes:
- Less populated areas, with less traffic and more tranquility: they tend to be in more remote places within cities and are common on the outskirts and outside the city.
- They have a simpler infrastructure
- Have a lower environmental impact
- They are usually priced higher than single-family homes and cost more to maintain.
- They are larger (they can have a garden, outdoor areas, swimming pool, several floors…)
- They are usually less well connected due to their decentralized location
Types of single-family homes
Detached house
It is a house surrounded by land that does not share a wall or part of its building with any other house. Si eres alguien que valora la tranquilidad , la naturaleza y la privacidad esta es una de las mejores opciones que puedes encontrar. Sin embargo, pueden ser viviendas muy solitarias y con poco acceso a servicios y lugares públicos, por lo que hay que valorar bien si es lo que andamos buscando o no. Generalmente se trata de chalets o casas de campo ubicadas en zonas aisladas y alejadas del ajetreo social.
Semi-detached house
This type of housing is built in a linear way with each other and adjoins each other by means of a party wall. It is common for these homes to share some common areas, whether they are open spaces such as parks, gardens or swimming pools or interiors such as garages. Semi-detached houses, despite being single-family, could be considered as a hybrid that shares many things with multi-family homes (wall-to-wall neighbours on both sides, common areas…). With all this, these homes have a higher price than multi-family homes and are also more expensive to maintain.
Semi-detached house
It is basically the same as a semi-detached house with the difference that in this case all the houses are bordered only by a single wall and a single neighbour. So you usually have more garden on the side of the house that is not semi-detached. On the other hand, we can add that the house is less protected from heat or cold on the side that is uncovered.
Multi-family housing
Common characteristics in multi-family homes:
- The supply of single-family homes is much higher
- They usually share common areas with the rest of the neighbors (some single-family homes also do it)
- They are generally cheaper (although in central areas of large cities they are possibly more expensive than some less located single-family homes)
- Have lower maintenance costs
- They are usually better connected and have a greater variety of services nearby.
- Few outdoor spaces of their own and usually very small (there are exceptions such as ground floors and attics)
Types of multi-family housing
I am a student
This type of housing is usually small in size and the different areas share a living room (kitchen, living room, bedrooms…). The space must be optimised very well and try to make it as functional as possible (movable, folding, multifunctional elements) and they are Very economical normally.
Apartment
These are homes with only one room, which is not integrated with the rest of the house, but is more secluded. Son muy adecuadas para personas solteras o para parejas sin hijos. Como en el caso del estudio, son generalmente más pequeños que un piso convencional, por lo que hay que organizar muy bien a que se destina cada metro cuadrado. También son Cheap housing (although depending on the area they may have a higher price, but as with other types of housing)
Loft
It is a type of housing characterized by having the entire space open, with practically no divisions (except for the most private places such as the bathroom). There are specific cases in which they may also be single-family homes on one floor (such as premises, warehouses or factories converted into loft-type housing). On many occasions people tend to think that a loft is necessarily small like an apartment or a studio, but this is not the case, as it is common for them to be spacious and large.
Floor
It is probably the most common home you can find in the market. A property within a building with different floors, with common areas and a community of neighbors. The size can vary quite a bit from small flats, to large flats of more than 200m2. There is a wide variety of prices, but they are generally cheaper than single-family homes.
Duplex
It is a house normally composed of two floors that are connected by means of an internal staircase, although there are also three or four storeys (triplex, quadruplex) or even more, although it is unusual. It’s great if you want to differentiate two spaces marked by two different heights (such as sleeping rooms and “living” areas such as the dining room, the kitchen… The price is higher than normal flats.
Attic
These are the homes located on the top floor of the building, the most demanded, coveted and expensive on the estate. Not all properties have penthouses on the top floor, as in many there is a communal terrace, with storage rooms on many occasions. Penthouses usually have The best views, good light and more tranquility, since there is no one above (no noises, no looks from other neighbors). But if there is one thing that makes penthouses stand out, it is that they have a Beautiful and large terrace, which is a great attraction for potential buyers.
There are also duplex penthouses, a combination of the two previous options.
Low
If the penthouses are located at the top of the property, the ground floors, as their name suggests, are usually below the whole (on the ground floor, at the height of the commercial premises). El bajo es un tipo de vivienda muy similar a un piso pero que They usually have a private garden or terrace of considerable size. However, being on floor 0 implies being at street level and hear noises more, in addition to having the windows in view of any passerby.
Attic
It is a kind of studio that is located on the top floor and has several of its ceiling spaces sloping. It is common that many of the attics belong to the second floor of the duplex penthouses or directly many penthouses are attics, only unlike the attic they have a large terrace.
10 questions to think about before you start looking for your ideal home.
Once we have seen the types of housing available, we must consider that it is the most suitable or recommended according to our situation and personal preferences. Some of the questions we need to ask ourselves are:
- Do I live alone or accompanied?
- How much space do I need/need?
- Where do I work/work?
- Do I need/need outdoor spaces?
- In which areas do I want/want to live?
- Do I/Do we like city life or do I prefer/prefer a more remote place?
- How much money am I/we willing/willing to spend?
- What are my/our plans for the future?
- What activities do I/we like to do in our free time? (beach, mountains, shopping centers…)
- Do I want/want to have a pet? What kind of pet?
At Kaleidoscope we are experts in comprehensive renovations in Valencia. We renovate any type of home and advise you throughout the design process of your new home Once you have deliberated about these issues, you will surely have a clearer idea of what you are really looking for. So now, you can surely filter according to several key aspects and easily find what you are looking for. The best thing to do is to take it easy and wait a little longer until the opportunity you are looking for appears, without having to rush.
