Disputes arose in our editorial office about what this is townhouse and how much this housing format popular among buyers. It turns out that the constant contemplation of high-end homes, even for professionals, can cause dizziness and ultimately confuse us about what we are real pros at. If we sometimes have doubts, then what can we say about a person who comes into contact with real estate quite rarely, and even then only when he thinks about profitable investments. We suggest that you finally understand what a townhouse is and how it differs from a duplex, apartment or house.
What is a townhouse and what are its advantages
Experts in English (at least at a minimal level) can confidently say that a townhouse is a house in the city or a city house. In fact, it can be both in metropolitan areas and within the picturesque suburb, so looking for an explanation in the name will not help you. Shall we try an excursion into history?
The term and form of townhouse came to us from England in the last century. A reasonable person would assume that this housing format was popular with typical city dwellers and hard-working workers, but again, logic falls by the wayside. In fact, townhouses were urban residences of the aristocracy. At first, they were inhabited exclusively by the bourgeoisie, but over time, the middle class also adopted this habit, and townhouses became a kind of small residential complex. The fashion for such housing came to us much later. Actually, the 2020s can be called its peak.
Today, a small residential complex divided into several sections is called a townhouse. Usually, it consists of 2-3 (rarely 4) floors in 5-10 sections. The sections in this case are quite spacious apartments. They are equipped with their own entrances, and the residents of the first floors even have small plots of land. Some projects include backyards for common use, parking spaces, or even garages.
Advantages of a townhouse over others types of residential real estate:
➕ slightly reduced cost of 1 m²;
➕ quite large area of the residence;
➕ convenient and functional planning, which the owner can adjust to his needs;
➕ lack of a large number of neighbors;
➕ savings on utility services (compared to a private house);
➕ availability of a parking space;
➕ the opportunity to implement a bold design project.
Disadvantages of a townhouse that you should not forget:
➖ may be located quite far from the city and infrastructure*;
➖ due to the larger area and conditions, the total cost will be higher than for an apartment;
➖ maintenance costs are also higher than for an apartment;
➖ there are still neighbors nearby who can disturb your peace.
*most developers build developed complexes with their own infrastructure, so this problem does not apply to all townhouses, but depends exclusively on a specific project.
Not only connoisseurs of English architecture of the 19th century choose townhouses. This format of housing is excellent suitable for young families, who strive to raise children in ecologically clean conditions and away from gassed Kyiv air. Also, these houses with an unusual vertical layout will appeal to those who cannot decide between an apartment and a house. A townhouse will be a golden mean, because it has absorbed the best aspects of both real estate formats.
Townhouse VS duplex
In its essence, a duplex is also a townhouse, but slightly modified. In it, the number of sections is much smaller - the entire house is divided into only two families. It is clear that under such conditions the level of privacy, silence and comfort increases significantly, and with it the price. You get more space and management options in your possessions. There is only one "but" - with replanning and decorating the territory, you will have to coordinate your actions with the owner of the other half of the house. If the renovations go so far as to affect the partitions, any ignored opposition from the neighbors will make your activity illegal. Such disadvantages are compensated by the fact that you get much more beautiful views outside the window and much more square meters.
Advantages of duplex:
➕ quite large area of the house;
➕ convenient planning;
➕ presence of only one neighbor;
➕ own plot and more greenery.
Disadvantages of duplex:
➖ the price per 1 m² is higher compared to a townhouse;
➖ costs for communal services are also higher;
➖ lower level of noise insulation;
➖ dependence on neighbors in terms of repair work.
Duplexes are chosen by investors who want to live in a private house, but have a limited budget and cannot afford to buy the entire house. Among wealthy buyers, there are quite a few who are interested in duplexes for completely different reasons. Yes, this is an ideal option for a joint purchase by friends or relatives. Each separate family gets its own house, but you remain close neighbors and can spend almost the whole day together.
Townhouse VS apartment
Flat in a residential complex and a section in a townhouse, at first glance, they appear to be almost identical objects, but in practice this is by no means the case:
- the price for a townhouse will be higher for objective reasons, because it gives more privacy and brings residents closer to nature;
- apartments can be found in all of them districts of Kyiv, while townhouses are only in certain parts of the city or in the suburbs;
- the area of an average apartment is much smaller than the area of a section in a townhouse;
- if two-story apartment is a real treasure for an investor, then this is a common practice in a townhouse;
- a hateful "anthill" against several neighboring families - the conclusion is obvious;
- residents of an apartment building only have a common courtyard, and even then not always. Residents of the townhouse own the plot of land and can arrange it according to their taste;
- townhouses are located in separate closed complexes with security. Residents only Residential complex of business and premium classes can count on something similar;
- each townhouse is allocated several parking spaces or garages, so you should not be afraid of parking problems, as is often the case in residential complexes.
The choice rests entirely on your shoulders. Consider your tastes, because there is no better place for someone Kyiv native Kyiv.
Townhouse VS house
It will not be superfluous to compare the townhouse with a private house, as he is his distant relative:
- in terms of area, a townhouse is only a part of an ordinary house, but do not forget that houses are also quite compact;
- residents of townhouses are not full owners in their homes, because they share common walls and communications with others;
- if you want to escape away from your neighbors, a private house is just what you need;
- more amenities - more zeros on the price tag. Buying a townhouse costs much less, which is obvious.
Don't know which housing format to choose? Time to break your head! Our experts can handle it much better. We will help you determine your priorities and choose the best option.
