Exploring the types of housing available in Canada, especially if you’re a newcomer, can be worth the effort. Canada offers a wide variety of housing types, and each person attaches a distinct meaning to housing. This is also because all individuals have unique housing requirements. The types of Canadian housing prevalent are detached houses, condos, semi-detached houses, Townhouses, movable houses, etc.
The type of housing newcomers choose depends on several imminent factors like renovation ability, location, space, and structure. The average cost of a home in Canada turned out to be $746,146 in April 2022. In 2021, the private houses in Canada that were occupied were nearly 14,978,940.
The 2021 Census Data also claimed that 52.6 percent of these privately occupied houses fell under the category of single-detached homes. On the other hand, 5 percent turned out to be semi-detached homes.
Additionally, 6.5 percent turned out to be row houses, while duplex apartments were 5.5 percent. Furthermore, 1.3 percent of these fell under the type of moving houses, while 10.7 percent were said to be apartments in five-story buildings or maybe less than that.
Navigating the types of Housing available in Canada
Are you a newcomer looking forward to buying or renting a house in Canada that you could embrace as a “home?” If yes, you might as well navigate through the variety of housing prevalent in Canada.
Detached Houses – the commonly found housing in Canada
Detached homes are Canada’s most commonly present houses, contributing to more than 50 percent of houses. These are primarily independent spaces or single-family units. They mostly stand apart from most buildings, with a distinct space behind the housing. Furthermore, it implies that these houses don’t have any shared walls with the rest of the buildings. Hence, the name “detached”.
These house types call for the best family homes because they also tend to have a front or backyard attached to them.
Semi-Detached Houses
Semi-detached homes, as the name suggests, share a wall, fence, or driveway. Their sizes will vary from one other because they come in varied sizes. They are less costly than the Detached Houses. These types of houses are often present in the form of one building with a middle split by just one wall. Also, you could find them toward the end of the terraced row homes or townhomes. Further, these house types have a separate backyard or front, offering good space and privacy. They are also called “Semis”.
Townhouses
These types of houses can provide space for four to six families. Townhouses are typically divided into smaller apartments. They also consist of private spaces in the form of entrances, driveways, or parking areas. These residences have an easy design, so it doesn’t take too long to construct them. They tend to offer a lot of space to people on a larger scale. These also offer outward yard areas or patios. These types of houses also provide sub-ground level garage spaces. These are typically found near the Downtown. Their popularity depends on factors like affordability, location, design, and flexibility.
Condos Townhouses
Condominiums are called apartment buildings; their shorter form is “Condos.” These types of townhouses fall under the Condo Corporation. Furthermore, it indicates that those who own these apartments pay a maintenance fee every month to the corporation. The fee often offers coverage for expenditures to maintain these spaces and the essential facilities under the condominium board. People wanting to get rid of specific responsibilities, such as snow clearing or lawn mowing, can choose this housing type. Condos usually have several elements, including a parking area, yard, pool, lobby, and fitness area.
Rental Apartments
Rental apartments are an excellent alternative for those who intend to reside in a city temporarily and only for a fixed period. This is ideal for those who want to avoid maintenance obligations. Low-rise apartments usually have fewer facilities compared to mid or high-rise apartments. Either a management firm looks after the property or a landlord owns this entity. The tenants often have to follow the outlined rules and regulations. Usually, these types of apartments have a management staff supervising the repair work or maintenance.
The types of Housing available in Canada – Movable Houses
Movable houses are also addressed as “Trailor Homes”. These types of dwellings are similar to houseboats. Moreover, they have the potential for relocation and transportation from one location to another. These are typically less costly than the different types of houses. However, securing a mortgage for such payments will definitely pose a challenge. The sub-types of Movable houses include Mobile Houses, Floating Homes, and Caravans.
- Mobile Homes – These types of homes temporarily stay on a foundation, and their construction often occurs on chassis. Hence, they can be easily ported.
- Caravans – A huge vehicle, mostly a van, comprising a compact house, is perfect for travelers who want to travel longer.
- Floating Homes – These homes are specifically meant to float on water bodies but are smaller. They still have sufficient space. Overall, they’re quite risky because of the unanticipated bad weather or drowning challenges.
Cottage Style Houses are one of the prominent housing types in Canada
These cottage-style houses comprise a large garage area, bedrooms on each side of the house, a vast porch or deck, and so on. These are most prevalent in the colder areas and are decorated with elegant and modest furniture. The outward appearance is that of a typical appearance, with most of its interior done with wood. This includes ceilings, walls, and floors. Their smaller size tends to keep them inwardly warmer.
Duplexes
The increasing population is surging demand for such Duplexes, particularly in urban regions. However, that doesn’t make them any less popular in smaller towns or suburban areas despite a lower housing demand. Duplexes often vary in terms of structure and size. Quebec is one example of Duplexes. These units generally tend to have just a single owner. Many individuals buy such units to access additional privacy without actually wanting the whole house.
Conclusion
The average housing cost in Canada, as of January 2023, is nearly $ 612,204. This data complies with the Canadian Real Estate Association. However, if we overlook larger cities like Toronto and Vancouver, the average cost is nearly $500,000. You must also consult other property types through local search and consider the following factors to purchase a home:
- The home’s condition.
- The type and size of the house.
- Location of the house.
- Demand and supply are prevalent in the local market.
