Below, we describe each of the property types. Read on, and you'll find yours!
1. Detached Home
A detached home is a standalone house that doesn’t share any walls with another home. It’s built on its own lot with space around all sides.
Key features:
No shared walls
Often includes a front and backyard
More privacy compared to other property types
Example: A single-family house with a driveway and garden.
2. Semi-Detached Home
A semi-detached home is one of two houses that share a single wall (usually a side wall) with another home. Each has its own separate entrance and yard.
Key features:
Shares one wall with a neighboring house
Separate entrances for each unit
Often mirror images of each other
Example: A pair of homes joined side-by-side but with separate driveways and doors.
3. Townhouse/Rowhouse
A townhouse (or rowhouse) is part of a row of homes that are attached side-by-side. Each unit shares walls with neighbors on both sides, except for the end units, which share only one wall.
Key features:
Attached on one or both sides
Multiple floors (often 2-3 stories)
Private entrance, sometimes with a small yard or patio
Example: A narrow, multi-story home in a row of similar houses, often found in suburban areas.
4. Condominium (Condo)
A condo is a private residential unit within a larger building or complex. You own your unit, but share common areas like hallways, elevators, gyms, or outdoor spaces with other residents.
Key features:
Located in a building with multiple units
Shared amenities (e.g., lobby, gym, parking garage)
You own the interior of your unit but not the building’s exterior
Example: An apartment-style unit in a high-rise building or a condo in a low-rise complex.
5. Duplex / Triplex / Fourplex (Plex)
A plex refers to a building divided into 2 (duplex), 3 (triplex), or 4 (fourplex) separate units. Each unit has its own entrance, and the units can be side-by-side or stacked on top of each other.
Key features:
Multiple separate units in one building
Each unit has its own entrance, kitchen, and living space
Units can be rented out or owner-occupied
Example: A two-unit house where one family lives upstairs and another lives downstairs.
Note: Plex types are often confused with the Semi-Detached property type.
Key Differences:
Semi-Detached: Typically refers to one of two attached homes that are separately owned, with a shared wall between them. Each unit often has its own lot.
Duplex: Refers to a single property divided into two separate living units, which can be side-by-side or stacked. A duplex is often owned by one person who may live in one unit and rent out the other, but in some cases, each unit can be separately owned.
How to Classify:
If you own one side of a property that shares a wall with another, and each side is a separate property with separate ownership, choose "Semi-Detached."
If your property is part of a duplex building where the structure is legally classified as a duplex (even if each unit is separately owned), or if the units are stacked on top of each other, choose "Duplex."
When in Doubt:
Check your property documents—they often state the official property type.
Ask your real estate agent or mortgage expert for confirmation.
Still Unsure?
If you’re not sure which type applies to your home:
Check your property documents (like your purchase agreement or property tax bill).
Ask your mortgage or real estate expert for clarification.