For many of us, a house will be the biggest investment we make in our lifetimes. They really don’t come cheap and we will generally find ourselves forking out a huge chunk of our income on a monthly basis to save towards a deposit and to then cover monthly mortgage payments.

So, it’s not all too surprising that we’ll probably spend a lot of time mulling over what kind of property will best suit our needs and personal preferences. Now, different people go around the property ladder in different ways. Some will head straight in to find the house that they plan to live in forever. They may get something significantly bigger and more established than they need at the moment so they already have the space ready and waiting for pets, a family, or whatever else they’re aiming for in their life. Others will start small and then sell as and when necessary, slowly upgrading and building their way up the ladder as their career progresses and they find themselves with more money available for a larger house or mortgage. There’s no right way to go about this process. Different approaches suit different people. But regardless, it’s good to be aware of some of the different types of houses out there so you can settle on the type that’s best for you!

Studio Apartments

Studio apartments are perhaps the smallest form of housing. They tend to be favoured by students and young professionals who are looking to live within major cities where space is relatively limited. You’ll generally find a lot of studio apartments in central Paris, London, and New York. However, they’re becoming increasingly common in other major cities too! Put simply, a studio apartment is generally a self-contained living space that features one room with a bed and kitchen and a small bathroom connected. While the space is small, their location often ups their price.

One and Two Bedroom Apartments

A step up size-wise from the studio apartment falls one and two bedroom apartments. These living spaces have more space – namedly a separate lounge, kitchen and bedroom, or two bedrooms. These types of accommodation tend to be popular amongst singles, couples or people who are just starting out a family with their first child and who aren’t ready to move into a larger property yet.

Townhouses

Next up the ladder, we tend to move to larger homes or “family homes”. These properties have more space and tend to be spread out over two or three floors. Let’s start by focusing on townhouses. As the name suggests, townhouses tend to be located in cities or towns. They use space well, with plenty of houses lined up in a row or “terrace”. While this may mean a little less privacy, it does tend to come at a lower cost than an equivalent attached or semi-detached house. Common townhouse design sees thinner, longer buildings, generally having around two rooms across, but three floors.

Semi-Detached and Detached Houses

Now we reach a more traditional home – the semi-detached or detached property. Semi-detached properties see two properties next to each other, adjoined by a wall in the middle. Detached properties stand alone. These properties, of course, can vary drastically. There’s no set size, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms or anything else. They can vary dramatically in size, design, outdoor space and in regards to most features.

Cottages

Cottages are technically usually detached houses. But they stand out in regards to their age and design. Cottages tend to be older buildings and may have traditional features, such as beams, thatched roofing or thick traditional walls. They’re desired by many and often sit in more rural locations rather than within cities.

Bungalows

Bungalows are homes spread across one, ground floor. They are often favoured by elderly individuals, who may have trouble climbing the stairs regularly. Consequently, communities where most houses are bungalows tend to be elderly communities. However, these properties aren’t out of bounds to anyone else. They’re always an option for anyone!

These are just a few different types of housing on the market, but they do tend to be the most common and popular. Whatever type of property you settle on, make sure to view it a few times to ensure it’s definitely what you want. There’s rarely any need to rush into a major spend like a house. Instead, take your time and wait for the perfect property to come along!