Looking for new homes in Ottawa is equally as exciting as it is nerve-wracking. You may be sure of what you want, or maybe you have no idea what style of home you’re into. If you’re trying to decide between a single home and a townhouse, look no further. This checklist will help you realize what suits you best.
Price
When investing in a home, you will want to make sure that you have a good idea of how much you can and want to spend. Depending on what you decide to go with, there will be various homeowner expenses that you may not know about.
With pricing, townhomes are usually less expensive than single homes. You may be paying less for a townhome, but you will also be giving up more space, land, and sometimes privacy. Single homes are more expensive but there are also lots of benefits to having a detached home.
Size
Deciding between a single home and a townhome in Ottawa is tricky, but it usually comes down to a few things, and one of those is the size of the home. You may be buying the home on your own, starting a family, or outgrowing your current home. The home buying process is personal so there are some things you will need to think about.
Is this your forever home? If you’re looking for your forever home, and you’re growing out of your current home, you may want to consider upgrading to a single home.
If you are just starting a family, a townhome is a great choice as it’s smaller, you can keep an eye on things better, and it’s less maintenance. Although you may be surprised how large some of our townhomes are. All of them come with 3 bedrooms and all but one come with 2.5 bathrooms. Our latest townhome at 2315 sq ft is larger than 4 of our single homes.
If you’re buying your first home and will be the sole caretaker of it, either option is great. However, it may come down to what’s in your budget!
Security
When looking at new townhomes, Ottawa and Embrun have plenty of options. Especially if security is a concern for you. While the city has an overall low crime rate, buying a townhome means you have a neighbour right next to you 24/7. You may feel safer that you don’t even have to leave your doorstep to knock on their door if need be.
Privacy
People have different preferences when it comes to privacy. If you’re searching for a single home for sale, Ottawa and Embrun have plenty on the market. Some of these homes have lots of land where privacy is no question. Other single homes will be in close proximity to your neighbours, but you won’t be sharing a wall with them.
If privacy is at the top of your list, a townhome may not be for you. If you like a more quiet environment, it may be best to look into single homes.
Maintenance
The bigger the house, the bigger the upkeep. Whether you decide on a townhouse or a single home, there are always pros and cons. With a townhouse, less maintenance is required because it’s a smaller build. With a single home, you may have more bedrooms, bathrooms, and generally a bigger space that needs to be cleaned.
Maintenance also includes yard work, snow removal, and more. With a single home, you may have a longer and larger driveway as well as a bigger backyard. In a townhome, you may have a smaller driveway but love gardening. The upkeep on both options differs, but it depends on how much time you are willing to spend on it.
Amenities
If you’re planning on purchasing a new home, you will first look at the model homes to get an idea of what the style will be. The model homes display all the upgraded and newest appliances that you may purchase. At Valecraft Homes, all of our homes come with attractive, energy-efficient appliances.
Neighbourhood
During the process of buying or searching for a home, you may only be looking at the home itself. However, it’s important to look at the surrounding areas as well. Will this neighbourhood be family-friendly? Will you be able to take your dog on a walk easily? Most neighbourhoods have a mix between townhouses and single homes, so you may be able to find a couple of homes you love within one neighbourhood.
Making sure the area you end up choosing is safe is an important step in the home buying process. Researching the area is a great first step, as well as getting a feel for what your family can enjoy while living there.
Deciding between a townhouse and a single home is a personal choice, but if you need advice on what one is best for you, contact our team at Valecraft Homes!
