The Single-Family Home: A Definition
So, you want to buy a “single-family home.” Or maybe you want to sell one. What, exactly, is the definition of “single-family?” You might be surprised to learn that it’s more complex than you ever thought. A single-family dwelling is not the same as a duplex, a condo, or an apartment. You probably figured that out. But it turns out that there are some very specific criteria for the label. The legal description for a single-family home is “a structure maintained and used as a single dwelling unit.” Here’s what else goes into those definitions:
A single-family home has no common walls with another dwelling. It is self-contained with regards to both its walls and its roof. Furthermore, it is built on its own parcel of land, which it shares with no other dwelling and which the owner is free to use as s/he pleases. In regards to entrances and exits, “single-family” means a home has its own private and direct access to a street or thoroughfare. This is as opposed to a condo or apartment, which has either hallways or a lobby that lead to the street. As far as utilities go, only one set can service a single-family home. They are not shared with any other residence. “Utilities” refers to heating, electricity, water, or any other essential service. There’s only one kitchen in this kind of home – it may seem like a quibble, but if/when you add a kitchen to an in-law suite or carriage house, it can potentially change the zoning of the house. And, lastly, “single-family” means that there is only one owner (or couple) with an undivided interest in the property. You have to check off all these boxes to fit the definition.
The obvious benefit to a single-family home is that it offers far more privacy than other types of lodging. You are free to modify your house as you please (unless you live in an HOA neighborhood), and you have the feeling of owning something. Of course, condos and apartments can often come with shared amenities like a clubhouse or pool, that you wouldn’t access in your own home. It’s the decision every buyer in the market must make.
