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Introduction

Semi-detached homes, also known as duplexes, are a popular choice for many buyers seeking a property that combines affordability and comfort. This type of dwelling stands out for its more affordable purchase price compared to single-family homes, while offering better quality of life than condos. Thanks to a shared wall that helps reduce energy costs, semi-detached homes offer an excellent balance between privacy and proximity to neighbors.

Furthermore, they typically require less exterior maintenance, making them a wise choice for young families or first-time buyers looking to balance their budget and comfort.

Advantages of Semi-Detached Homes

Advantage 1: Affordable Purchase Price

Semi-detached homes are known for their more affordable purchase price compared to traditional detached homes. This price difference is mainly due to the shared structure, particularly the common wall, which reduces the materials and construction costs. In a detached home, each side of the structure is fully built, requiring more resources. In contrast, in a semi-detached home, this part is shared between two owners, resulting in substantial savings.

Moreover, the land of semi-detached homes is often smaller than that of single-family homes, further lowering the overall purchase price. This type of property can cost up to 15% less than a single-family home for comparable dimensions, while still offering comfortable living space and good energy efficiency.

These immediate savings make duplex homes especially attractive to young buyers and families, allowing them to access homeownership without sacrificing quality or comfort.

Advantage 2: Reduced Maintenance Costs

Semi-detached homes allow for significant savings in maintenance costs, especially for the land and shared areas. For example, a semi-detached property usually has a smaller lot than a single-family home, which reduces costs for lawn mowing, snow removal, or gardening. On average, maintenance costs for lawns and outdoor spaces can be reduced by 10 to 20%, depending on the size of the lot.

Another advantage is the potential for sharing costs with the neighbor. In some cases, semi-detached homeowners choose to split the costs of common maintenance, such as snow removal or hedge trimming. This sharing can reduce annual outdoor maintenance expenses by about 30 to 50%. These long-term savings provide significant financial relief for owners while also reducing the time spent on these tasks.

Advantage 3: Energy Efficiency

Semi-detached homes are recognized for their better energy efficiency compared to traditional detached homes. The secret lies in the shared wall, which helps retain more heat inside the building, reducing thermal losses. On average, a semi-detached home can lower heating costs by 10 to 20% compared to a single-family home. This increased energy efficiency is particularly advantageous in regions with harsh winters, as the common wall reduces exposure to the elements and improves thermal insulation.

In addition to saving on heating costs, the shared wall also contributes to better sound insulation. This reduces noise pollution, providing enhanced comfort without requiring expensive additional insulation work.

Advantage 4: More Freedom than a Condo

One of the main advantages of semi-detached homes is the freedom they offer compared to condos. Unlike a condo, where owners must follow strict rules and pay condominium fees, semi-detached homeowners have independent management of their private spaces. This means they have the freedom to make decisions about maintenance, renovations, or layout without needing to consult a homeowners’ association.

Furthermore, semi-detached homes do not have condo fees, allowing owners to save thousands of dollars each year. This financial freedom, combined with the independence in managing their space, makes it an attractive option for those looking to avoid the constraints of condos while enjoying affordable and practical housing.

Advantage 5: Less Exterior Maintenance

One of the major benefits of semi-detached homes is the significant reduction in exterior maintenance tasks. As these properties typically have smaller lots than single-family homes, they require less work for tasks such as lawn mowing, snow removal, or garden maintenance. On average, owners can reduce the time spent on these tasks by about 30%.

This aspect is particularly appealing to young families or buyers with busy schedules who prefer to spend less time on house maintenance while still benefiting from outdoor space. This time and effort savings also translate into lower maintenance costs throughout the year.

Advantage 6: Living Comfort and Soundproofing

Newly built semi-detached homes incorporate modern technologies to improve comfort and soundproofing. Unlike older homes, new constructions are designed with thicker shared walls and high-quality insulating materials, helping to limit noise transmission between neighbors.

As a result, modern semi-detached homes offer near-equivalent tranquility to detached homes. Families can enjoy a high quality of life without the drawbacks of living in close proximity to other residents. Enhanced soundproofing also ensures better privacy, which is a significant advantage for many buyers.

Conclusion

Here’s a summary of all the advantages of semi-detached homes:

• Affordable Purchase Price: Semi-detached homes cost about 15% less than detached homes.
• Reduced Maintenance Costs: Shared maintenance costs can reduce expenses by 30 to 50%.
• Energy Efficiency: Reduced heating costs by 10 to 20% thanks to the shared wall.
• More Freedom than a Condo: No condo fees, offering management freedom and significant savings.
• Less Exterior Maintenance: 30% less time spent on maintenance due to smaller lot sizes.
• Living Comfort and Soundproofing: Better soundproofing, offering comfort similar to a detached home.

FAQ – Semi-Detached Properties and Duplex Homes

• Are semi-detached homes cheaper than single-family homes? Yes, the purchase price of a semi-detached home is generally lower than that of a single-family home due to shared land and some infrastructure. Additionally, maintenance costs can be reduced thanks to the smaller lot size and the sharing of some expenses with the neighbor.

• What are the ecological benefits of semi-detached homes? Semi-detached homes can be more environmentally friendly than other types of properties, particularly due to their energy efficiency. The shared wall helps reduce heat loss, which decreases heating needs and, consequently, energy costs.

• Is maintaining a semi-detached home easier? Due to the smaller lot size, exterior maintenance (like snow removal or lawn mowing) is often less demanding and less expensive. Additionally, some duplex homes allow sharing costs with the neighbor for services like gardening.

• Do semi-detached homes offer good soundproofing? Although the shared wall is connected to the neighbor’s side, new construction standards offer better soundproofing than before. Modern semi-detached homes provide a quality of life similar to that of single-family homes in terms of noise comfort.