Whether you're upsizing, downsizing, or buying a home for the first time, it pays to put some thought into the style of home that will best fit your family's needs. After all, you probably don't want to deal with the maintenance and hassle of space you never use, but you also don't want to buy a home you will outgrow in no time. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Size of Home

To choose the right style of home for your needs, consider your lifestyle and how your needs may change over the next five to ten years.

• How many bedrooms will you need? 
• Will you need office space? 
• What are your storage needs? 
• Do you plan to have (more) children?
• Is it possible an older relative will need to move in with you in the future? 
• Will your children be moving away soon?
• How close are you to retirement?  

a Duplex Style Home

Understanding Home Styles in Edmonton

Once you’ve determined how much space you’ll need, consider what type of home fits your needs and lifestyle. To help you better understand your options, here's a look at the three main types of homes in Edmonton, what each has to offer, and tips for choosing the right home style for your family. 

Duplex - As the name suggests duplexes are built to include two units side by side, and have a garage attached to the front of the unit, or located in behind the home with rear lane access.  Home buyers can sometimes find a duplex that is less expensive than a detached single family home, making it an excellent choice for first time homebuyers. These are also a popular choice for homebuyers wanting to downsize from a larger home.

 Townhome - Townhomes are built to include several units arranged side by side, with units sharing a wall on either side with neighbouring units. Like duplexes, many units have a garage attached at the front, but can also be located below or behind the townhome. This type of home is also popular with first time homebuyers as well as with those looking to downsize.

Single Family Home - This single unit home provides either a garage attached to the front of the home, or detached and located at the rear of the home with lane access. Depending on affordability, this could be a good fit for you if you are buying your first home or upsizing from a smaller home.

Downsizing: Duplex versus Townhouse

If you are downsizing or looking for a home with less living space, a duplex or townhome are great choices. However, you will need to consider the potential for less privacy and additional fees when choosing these options.

Privacy

Unlike the Single Family Home you might live in now, you’ll be sharing walls with a neighbor or two. While these homes are built with thick walls, there is potential for noise from a neighbouring unit to disturb you. Duplexes usually offer more privacy and reduced noise as you will only share one wall with another family. With a townhome, you will share two walls with neighbours unless you live in an end unit. 

 Maintenance

 When considering a townhome, think about annual maintenance fees you will need to pay. These fees cover lawn maintenance, snow removal, and other forms of maintenance for common areas not owned by a single homeowner. Along with monthly maintenance fees, there may be additional fees for roof maintenance or exterior upgrades.  However, if you prefer to have maintenance handled by someone else, a townhome is a better option. 

a Single Family Home with Rear Lane

Upsizing: Buying a Single Family Home

If you are ready for a larger home, there are many considerations you’ll need to consider before you start your home search. Each choice offers advantages and disadvantages.

• Garage – would you like a garage that is attached to the front of your home, or do you prefer a detached garage with rear lane access? An attached garage means you can access your vehicle without going outside, but a detached garage means having more privacy in your backyard.
• Furniture – moving into a bigger home usually means that you’ll need to purchase additional furniture. Are you willing and able to make this investment after you’ve purchased the house?
• Maintenance – buying a larger property will mean more time and investment into ongoing maintenance, such as cutting the grass, shoveling the sidewalk and the cleaning required of a larger home. Do you want to pay for someone else to perform some of those tasks, or do it yourself?

Now that you determined the home style that will fit your needs and lifestyle, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for as you start your search.

Happy house hunting!