SEMI-DETACHED:
This type of home is a single family home that is joined to another one by a common wall and usually in such a way that each house's layout is a mirror image of its twin. It can offer many of the advantages of a single-family detached home and is usually less expensive to buy.

DUPLEX:
A dwelling with two self contained residential units - one above the other or side by side; normally held under one title of ownership. The owner usually lives in one unit and rents the other.

ROW HOUSE OR TOWNHOUSE:
One of several types of single family homes joined by one or two common walls and often of similar or identical design. They are often multiple storeys because the square footage is usually distributed vertically instead of horizontally. This type of housing offers less privacy than single family detached home but still provides a separate outdoor space. Row houses and townhouses can be quite spacious and can cost less to buy and maintain.

LINK OR CARRIAGE HOME:
Houses joined by garages or carports which provide access to the front and back yards. The main difference between this type of housing and semi-detached homes is that link homes do not share a living space walls. Builders sometimes join basement walls so that link houses appear to be single-family homes on small lots. These houses provide more privacy than a semi-detached home and can be less expensive than single family detached homes. If affordability, privacy and space is important to you, consider a link home!

CONDOMINIUM OR CONDO:
Condos can be high-rise residential buildings, townhouse complexes, individual house and low-rise residential buildings. Condominium refers to a form of land ownership, where each individual owner holds title to a specific unit as well owing a share of common property, as opposed to a style of construction. Depending on the size and style, they have shared common amenities and exterior (typically refereed to as common elements) and are often reasonably priced. One of the many advantages of owing a condominium is the lack of maintenance as common areas of the condo building and exterior is maintained by the condominium's corporation instead of the condo owner. So if you're looking for a reasonably-priced property with little or no maintenance and many other amenities (sometimes including fitness centres, swimming pools and party rooms), than condominium is the right home for you!

Note: Condominiums are also known as stratas in British Columbia or syndicates of co-ownership in Quebec.

MANUFACTURED HOME OR MOBILE HOME:
This is type of prefabricated housing with a permanent wheeled chassis attached to ensure the initial and continued transportability of the home. A manufactured home is factory build single-family home that is transported to your chosen location and placed on surface-mounted foundation. The term manufactured home has actually replaced the term "mobile home".

MODULAR HOME:
Also a type of factory built houses that consist of multiple sections called modules and constructed in compliance with local building codes. They do not have axles or frame. The modular home is typically shipped to your location by flat-bed trucks in two or more sections. It may or may not have a longitudinal sub-frame.

Regardless of your choice, the bottom line is that owning a home is the best way to assure the happiness and well-being of you and your family. A home gives a family room to grow, and room to prosper.

HELPFUL INFO:

There are also some other important factors and information to consider before setting off to find your new home. Check links below for more helpful information:

• Buying a Home of Your Own
• Protect Your Best Interest - Hire Your Own Realtor
• Finding a Home That's Right for You
• Describe Home You Want to Buy
• Type of Home to Buy
• Buying a Home: What You Can Afford
• Working With a Realtor
• Using an RRSP for Down Payment
• Your Privacy and the Real Estate Transaction
• How to Save for a Down Payment
• Net Worth Calculation
• Get Pre-Approved for a Morgage
• Home Purchase Cost Estimate
• Don't Forget Closing Costs When Buying a Home
• Closing the Deal
• Making an Offer and Closing the Deal
• Real Estate Tips
• Worksheet Forms
• Buying Tips
• Ontario Land Transfer Tax Refunds for First Time Home Buyers
• GST/HST New Housing Rebate
• RC4231 GST/HST New Residential Rental Property Rebate