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A single-family home (known as a detached house in the UK ) is a free-standing residential building, generally found in less dense urban areas, the suburbs of cities, the exurban region, and rural areas. Most single-family homes are built on lots larger than the structure itself, adding an area surrounding the house, which is commonly called a yard in American English or a garden in the British variety.
Garages can also be found on most lots. In older homes, they are typically detached, standing as a separate building, either near a driveway or facing an alley in urban areas. Newer homes in North America favor attached garages, often facing the street, as most recent developments do not include alleys.
Literally only members of a single family live in this type of house, yet in the wider sense it refers to a single party of people.
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Small North American single-family home |
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The counterparts to single-family homes are apartment complexes, condominiums, duplexes, or terrace houses where several families live in the same structure.
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There are advantages and disadvantages to single family homes. Advantages are that the entire space is private to the owner and family, the re-sale value is generally the highest on single family detached homes, in most cases (depending on federal, state/provincial and local laws) you can add on to the existing house if more room is needed and there is generally no property management fees such as the ones associated with condominiums and townhomes. |
There are also many disadvantages to owning a single detached family home. All maintenance and repair costs" interior, exterior and everything in between are at the owners expense. There are often a lack of amenities such as pools and playgrounds (although some single-family homes do have these features within the lot, or nearby they often cost more). Landscaping and lawn upkeep costs are at the owners expense and in most cases single family homes cost a lot more than condominiums and town homes.
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