Most people envision their dream home as a detached single-family house. However, this isn’t the only option for buying in today’s market. Increasingly, multi-family homes are becoming more popular. These houses allow homeowners to live in one unit while also subleasing the other units to reduce their mortgage payments. They’re also great for multigenerational families.

Single-Family Home

Before choosing a home, it’s essential to understand a single-family home. This type of house is typically set up as a single-family house that can accommodate a family. Unlike a multi-family home, this structure doesn’t share walls. Unlike multi-family homes, single-family houses are designed to house only one family. This type of house also has fewer utilities and kitchen appliances. 

Multi-Family Home

A multi-family home is a single building that can accommodate several families living separately. It can be a duplex, a small apartment building, or homes with up to four units. Commercial properties are typically built with more than four units. This property can be owned by a person living in one unit or subleased to the other units. They’re considered investors if the owner doesn’t plan on living on the property. This investor can use the projected rental income to help them qualify for a mortgage.

Single-Family vs. Multi-Family

The number of units that a single-family home or multi-family house has is the main difference between these two types of structures. Multi-family homes typically have up to four units, while single-family houses only have one dwelling unit. Unlike apartment buildings and condominium complexes, one person typically owns multi-family homes.

Multi-family homes are typically a popular choice for investors due to their ability to provide multiple families with a place to live. They are also a good option for multigenerational families that want to live under one roof. Despite the popularity of multi-family homes, there is still a demand for single-family houses. Nuclear families prefer single-family houses due to their large private backyards and square footage.

If you’re unsure which type of house to choose, here are some pros and cons of multi-family and single-family homes to help you make an informed decision.

The Pros and Cons of Both

One of the most significant advantages of single-family houses over multi-family homes is their larger size. Most detached houses have around 2,500 square feet of living space, while multi-family dwellings only have approximately 1,076 square feet. If you plan on living in one of the units, you won’t have much room to expand.

However, if you’re an investor, you might want to consider investing in single-family houses instead of multi-family homes due to the lower risk. A significant disadvantage of this type of structure is that it can only house one tenant at a time. This means that your rental income will go down if the tenant leaves.

A multi-family home can provide you with additional income while looking for a new tenant for your apartment. It can also cover the maintenance and mortgage costs. A multi-family home can also be a good option if you’re planning on having multiple generations living under one roof. It can provide everyone with their own space while still allowing them to be close to their loved ones.

Despite the advantages of multi-family homes, it’s still not the best option for everyone. Large multi-family properties can take a long time to maintain and can potentially interfere with your lifestyle.