Detached Home Right for You? What Are Some of The Cons?

Cons of Buying a Detached Home

A single-family home is not the best choice for every buyer. This list of potential cons will help you decide if a townhouse, condominium or duplex might be a better fit for you.

Comparatively Few Amenities

Condominium and townhome developments often have significant amenities. For example, they can have swimming pools, fitness centers and tennis courts. They have been designed with the idea that people will use some or all of these amenities, and that residents in these developments will appreciate these features. Condo and townhome developments typically require you to pay HOA fees for maintenance, but sometimes those dues also cover certain utilities, such as gas, water or trash collection. With a detached home, you generally will not have access to amenities like this unless they are built on your property, and you’ll be responsible for setting up and paying for all of the utilities.

You Are in Charge of Maintenance

If you live in an apartment building or condo, the management company will take care of issues such as exterior repairs, clogged gutters or ponding water. Left unattended, water could accumulate and seep into your roofing system and walls. Fortunately, with regular maintenance, these small issues are caught before they become bigger issues that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

However, every maintenance and repair issue on a single-family detached home falls upon the homeowner. If you’re handy you might be able to take on some issues yourself, but larger jobs will require help. You’ll need to maintain your lawn and landscaping, shovel snow and be mindful of potential repairs.

Security and Isolation

While a single-family home offers a greater level of privacy, the trade off is that living in your own freestanding home may make you feel somewhat isolated, especially if you live alone. Condos and townhomes have a community of residents around at all times, but a single-family home in a remote area might make you feel as though you need to take extra steps to keep your house secure. This could include upgrading the locks on the exterior doors, installing exterior lighting with motion sensors, adding a security system or installing a fence.  

Longer Commutes to Work

Single-family homes are typically more common in suburban and rural areas, so you may have a longer commute to work than if you lived in an urban setting. Even outside of downtown areas, you’ll find that many attached home developments are near main highways or strategically built with close access to public transportation. This means that these residents can access those main roads quicker or get to public transit more easily.

Too Much Space

If a homeowner is single, or becomes single due to a divorce or death of a spouse, the space afforded by a detached home may be overwhelming. For some people, all of that extra space may also feel too difficult or time-consuming to take care of.

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