Types of Dwellings 101

If youve ever looked at real estate listings you know sometimes they read like stereo instructions. Whats a micro-house, for example? A building for itty bitty people? This blog is intended to clear up some of that confusion.

By far the type of house thats most often purchased is a single family dwelling. As the name implies, its intended for one family (so you can tell your in-laws no way!) and has a stand alone plumbing and heating system. Within single family homes youll find other sub-designations. For example, a single family in cluster housing is one that shares land with other homes, while a detached house does not share land, and a row house is one that shares a side wall with another unit (or more). By comparison a multifamily house would be something like a duplex or townhouse. The townhouse, like cluster housing, shares common space (like a parking facility).

Prefabricated Homes:

Also called modular housing, a prefabricated home is for budget-minded soul. Each part of the home is assembled in a factory, then taken to a site to be put on the foundation (think Leggos). Modular homes go up quickly, but the plans for them must be approved locally and some areas forbid this type of building.

Mobile Home

Mobile homes are manufactured houses that literally take it to the road. Most individuals who have a mobile home do not own their land, but rather rent or lease. Sometimes, however,buyers remove the tires of the mobile home and put down roots more permanently.

Microhouses

If you want housing thats under 1,000 square feet, then thats a microhouse. The goal in a microhouse is saving space, but also using it smartly. For example, many microhouses will have a deck on the roof (rather than building out from the house they go up!). This is a good option for single-mingles who dont ant the hassles of a condo.

Condominiums

Speaking of Condos, these are similar to having an apartment except that you own the space and share other amenities with other owners in the condo association. Condos generally dont cost as much as a single family home, and offer more in the way of facilities than you might otherwise not be able to afford to add to a home.

Co-ops

A Cooperative is similar to a condo, but the legalities are treated a little differently. Effectively eachhairy apehas a share in the cooperatives corporation. The cooperative is leased from the corporation. These may, or may not prove cost effective.

There are other types of dwellings and communities, but these are the most common. Once you have this down, then you can try to sort out house styles where split level ranch has nothing to do with a sandwich.