- In this video we talk about single-family homes versus duplex –which costs more
– which is the right one to buy. That's starting right now.
- Welcome to Homebuyer's School
brought to you by Brookfield Residential.
Hi everyone, Karl here and welcome to another Homebuyer's School video –
a channel where you get the latest strategies tactics and tips from home
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below, hit the little notification bell so you don't miss anything. Today I'm
joined by Jessica McKnabb, area manager with Brookfield Residential and
the question we're gonna answer is –
What is the difference between a single- family home and a duplex?
So I guess the first thing is what makes a house a duplex?
- So the difference would be a duplex is where you've got two homes side-by-side
that are joined by one single wall, and then a single-family home is a
standalone home that doesn't enjoin any other homes.
- So are duplexes worth more than a single-family home?
- They could be. A duplex could be worth more.
Sometimes the duplex will have a double garage, whereas
the single-family home might be sitting on a smaller lot and might be a little
bit smaller.
- Are duplexes becoming more popular? —because I'm seeing a lot a lot more.
- Yeah, historically in this last probably
three to five years they've become more popular and that's simply because for
the square footage of the home you can get in a duplex, it can be bigger than a
single-family and your backyard space is significantly bigger. Usually with a
single-family that would be comparable in price to a duplex, you'll have little
to no backyard and the garage will actually sit in the back and be detached
from the home.
- So do you mean like the duplex—with the duplex you get a bigger yard.
- Mm-hmm.
- But you're sharing it with somebody else right? Or are the actual
yards split between you and your neighbour?
- Right. Each of the yards will still be split.
You'll still do a fence line between you and the neighbor so you
still get your own backyard but it typically does have more space because
the garage sits in the front underneath the rest of the house.
- So do you think—what are some of the reasons why you think builders are going
towards a lot more duplexes?
- So it is more efficient to build a duplex.
You have two units coming up side by side at the very same time and it's
more cost-effective, and then for the buyer you do get more square footage,
you get more land value. So it's a win-win situation.
- But I think one of the cons would be is that besides from a single-family home is
that you're right beside I guess, your neighbour right? There isn't—would
you say the privacy isn't as much as a single-family home?
- Right. That is a thought that a lot of
people do have as a first-time buyer coming through but
when you're looking at let's say our single-family show home and walking
through our duplex show home you actually can't tell the difference. The
shared wall actually is above some—is above code and soundproofing and
fireproofing so they're joining wall has really come a long way. And then in
terms of the size of the home for a duplex you actually get more bang for
your buck. You get bigger square footage.
- Now why do you get bigger square footage for a duplex?
—Because one would think that if you're living in a duplex you get
less square footage than living in a single-family home.
- So for the Builder it's more efficient and more cost effective to
build the duplex so in turn they can put more square footage.
- Okay do you have anything else to add in terms of the differences between
a single-family and a duplex?
- Well with single-family homes nowadays because of zero lot lines for example or
even if it you're not on a zero lot line, the houses are so close together
anyways so people don't have that worry about buying a duplex and being so close
to the neighbor anymore.
- Perfect, perfect. So the last question I
have is, which costs more I guess—a duplex or a single-family?
- If you're looking at apples to apples in terms of square footage they could be the
same. So a single-family home if you're looking at about 1,400 square foot you
get a little bit smaller backyard and that'll be around the 350 thousand mark, and for
the duplex you're looking at about 1,600 square feet and you get a significantly
bigger backyard, and then you're still paying around this you know,
350–360 mark for the home.
- Do you have anything else add?
- No I think we covered everything.
- Perfect. So the question of the day I have for you is –
Does a single-family home or a duplex home appeal to you and why?
Let us know in the comment section below—and remember
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Thank you and we'll catch you next time.
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Homebuyer's School. Tune in next time
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