Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to try something new, there are a variety of home types available. Many new home communities, like Harvest at Hillwood, offer a selection of both attached and detached homes options. But which is best for your family? This is a personal decision based on many factors.
You will want to consider both before deciding, as your choice will impact your lifestyle and overall housing experience. In this guide, we will explore the key differences between these two housing styles and their unique features, advantages, and considerations to help you understand the single family detached vs attached debate.
Attached Family Homes vs. Detached Homes
Attached and detached homes are both residences designed for single families, but there are distinct differences. Understanding the nuances of attached vs detached living is crucial.
What is a Single-Family Attached Home?
An attached single family home, for example a townhouse, semi detached house, or rowhouse, is a type of residential dwelling that shares one or more walls with adjacent properties. These homes may be part of a larger building or a row of similar structures, and they can be found in urban, suburban, or even rural areas. Attached homes come in various architectural styles and sizes, ranging from compact townhouses to larger, multi-story structures.
Characteristics of an Attached Family Home
Some characteristics of an attached family home include:
- Shared Walls: Attached homes are connected to neighboring units through one or more common walls, which can result in a sense of a close knit community and close proximity to neighbors.
- Multi-Level Layout: Many attached homes have multiple levels or stories. This vertical arrangement optimizes land use, making attached homes an efficient housing option.
- Common Exterior: In most cases, attached homes share a common exterior appearance, often featuring a uniform façade and design elements that tie the units together.
- Ownership: Residents of attached single family homes typically own both the interior space of their unit and a portion of the common areas and shared structures, such as the roof, foundation, and exterior walls. The specifics of ownership will vary depending on the development.
- Community Amenities: Some attached homes are located in developments offering shared amenities like communal gardens, swimming pools, or recreational facilities that are shared among residents. (Of course, when you live in a new home community like Harvest, the community’s shared amenities are enjoyed by residents of all types of homes.)
What is a Single-Family Detached Home?
A detached house, often referred to as a single-family home, is a standalone residential structure that does not share any walls or common structural elements with neighboring houses. It is a separate and independent dwelling situated on its own piece of land, typically with open space on all sides, such as a front yard, backyard, and sometimes side yards. Detached single family homes are commonly found in suburban and rural areas, offering a higher degree of privacy and autonomy compared to attached homes like townhouses, duplexes or row houses.
Characteristics of a Detached Family Home
Some characteristics of detached single family homes include:
- Independence: Detached single family homes are not connected to adjacent houses, providing residents with a higher level of privacy and personal space. Owners of detached single family homes also have more freedom to make structural and aesthetic changes to their property without impacting neighboring homes, however if they are part of an HOA, they are still subject to its guidelines.
- Standalone Structure: These homes are a single, independent standalone structure, often surrounded by green space or landscaping. They do not share walls, roofs, or foundations with other homes.
- Outdoor Area: Detached single family homes typically come with a yard or outdoor space, allowing homeowners to enjoy gardening, outdoor activities, and the possibility of adding amenities like a patio, deck, or pool.
- Property Ownership: When you purchase a detached house, you typically own not only the house but also the land it sits on. This land ownership can offer long-term investment potential and control over your property.
- Greater Space: Detached single family homes often offer more interior space compared to attached homes, making them suitable for larger families or individuals seeking more space.
Attached Family Home vs. Detached Family Home Comparison
Here is how attached and detached homes compare based on various factors when considering the attached vs detached lifestyle:
Architectural Styles
Attached homes often have a uniform appearance and are built in rows or clusters, creating a visually appealing and cohesive appearance for the entire neighborhood. This consistency in design can enhance the overall curb appeal and make communities more attractive.
Detached single family homes offer more architectural diversity. They can vary widely in design and style, depending on the homeowner’s preferences and neighborhood or homeowner association regulations.
Privacy
Generally, attached homes offer less privacy than detached single family homes since they have shared walls with neighbors. Noise levels may be higher and visual privacy may be reduced. But being surrounded by neighbors can enhance the feeling of security, as there are more eyes on the community.
A detached house typically provides more privacy as it is not physically connected to neighboring houses, offering a greater buffer from noise and intrusions.
Cost & Maintenance
Some attached single family homes – even those with upgraded features and luxury amenities – can be more affordable than detached single family homes in the same area, making them a popular choice for first time buyers or those on a budget. They often have a lower purchase price. Yard upkeep of the green spaces around attached homes is often included in homeowner association fees as part of shared maintenance responsibilities, making them more cost-effective.
Comparatively, a detached house can be more expensive to buy or build because you own a larger piece of land and a larger structure that costs more to build. Owners are usually responsible for the maintenance of both the house and the entire property, which can be more costly and time-consuming. And, with greater square footage and outdoor space, detached single family homes typically require more maintenance, such as lawn care and exterior upkeep.
An Exploration of Single-Family Attached Homes
Attached homes offer a balance between the privacy of a single-family home and the convenience of shared maintenance and amenities. Here’s a closer look at some of the advantages attached single family homes offer and some factors you may want to consider before buying one:
Benefits of Single-Family Attached Homes
- Affordability: An attached single family home tends to be more budget-friendly than a detached house, making them accessible to a wider range of buyers.
- Less Maintenance: Homes with a smaller footprint are easier to keep clean, and many people appreciate that benefit. Also, exterior maintenance and yard upkeep for attached homes are often managed by homeowners’ associations (HOAs), reducing the burden on individual homeowners.
- Amenities: Many attached home communities offer shared amenities like pools, gyms, or parks for residents to enjoy (although they are likely available to the detached single family homes in the community as well.)
Considerations of Single-Family Attached Homes
- Limited Privacy: An attached single family home shares walls with neighbors, which can result in less privacy and sometimes noise from adjacent units.
- Less Outdoor Space: Attached homes typically have smaller yards or no yards at all, limiting outdoor space for gardening or outdoor activities.
- Less Customization: Structural modifications or exterior changes may be limited and subject to HOA approval. (This may also be true of detached single family homes in a community with an HOA.)
Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Home Type
When choosing between an attached single family home and a detached house, several factors should be considered to determine which type of housing best suits your needs and preferences. Here are some key factors to weigh:
- Privacy: Detached single family homes generally offer more privacy because they don’t share walls with neighbors. If more privacy is a top priority, a detached house may be preferable.
- Space: Consider the amount of indoor and outdoor space you need. Detached single family homes often provide larger yards and more square footage, making them suitable for larger families or those with a larger family size.
- Maintenance: Attached homes may have lower maintenance requirements, as HOAs often cover some exterior upkeep. Detached single family homes typically require the owner to take on more maintenance.
- Cost: A detached house can be more expensive than an attached single family home, not only in terms of the purchase price but also ongoing maintenance costs and potentially higher property taxes. Factor in your budget and long-term financial considerations, including potential resale value.
- Lifestyle: Consider your lifestyle and how it aligns with the benefits of each housing type. For example, a detached house with a yard may be more appealing if you enjoy gardening, outdoor activities, or DIY projects.
- Customization: Evaluate your desire to customize your home. Detached single family homes generally offer more freedom for renovations and modifications, both indoors and outdoors.
- Future Plans: Think about your long-term plans and how they align with your housing choice. Consider your family’s growth, potential lifestyle changes, and the adaptability of your chosen single family home.
Find the Perfect Home for You at Harvest at Hillwood
Ultimately, the decision between an attached and a detached family home should be based on your specific needs, lifestyle, budget, and personal preferences. If an attached single family home is for you, Harvest offers one- and two-story townhomes by CB JENI and duplex-style homes in The Retreat by Tri Pointe Homes. For those who prefer a single-family detached home, our community offers a wide range of sizes and styles from builders Coventry Homes, David Weekley Homes, Drees Custom Homes, Highland Homes, Taylor Morrison, and Toll Brothers.
When you’re ready to take the next step toward finding your perfect single family home, look no further than Harvest at Hillwood. Whether you prefer the low maintenance lifestyle of attached family living or the increased space of detached single family homes, we have the perfect home for you.
Our new construction builders have available new single family homes, and many are offering incentives, so now is a great time to buy!
