With house prices exceeding the budgets of many new home buyers, many are looking at alternative living spaces. There is a growing market for townhouses, especially among families, couples and young professionals. Townhouse floorplans are becoming a more popular option due to their affordability compared to a detached house. Let’s take a look at townhouse floor plans, including the pros and cons of this design and whether it’s the ideal choice for you.
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What is a townhouse?
A townhouse is a double-storey home design that shares at least one common wall with another property. Townhouse designs are often found in housing estates, smaller development communities or as part of a collection of rental properties. In terms of size, they’re usually bigger than a unit, yet smaller than a house.
Developers will often buy a large vacant block of land and build multiple townhouses to rent out or sell. This design would suit blocks with enough room to build numerous dwellings.
What are the benefits of a townhouse home design?
Affordable homes
It’s no secret that buying a house is expensive and more difficult than it used to be. Townhouses can provide a more affordable option for first-home buyers to break into the property market. They offer many of the benefits of a detached house at a fraction of the price.
Privacy
We all like our privacy, and townhouses offer you your own space. While it won’t be as secluded as an independent, detached dwelling, a townhouse offers you more privacy than a unit or shared home. Unlike sharehouses, there aren’t shared communal areas.
More Space than an apartment
A townhouse design offers a nice middle ground between a unit and a detached home. Townhouse designs have between two and four bedrooms, meaning they can house a family and still offer adequate living area space.
Lower Maintainance
Less space does have the benefit of requiring less cleaning, repairs and general upkeep. This is ideal for those who live busy lives, those who work from home or those who just find cleaning up kind of a drag. It also makes townhouses a popular option for older couples who’ve raised their family and no longer need the space of the old family home.
Rental potential
If you’re at investment opportunities, townhouses could be an amazing opportunity to turn a profit. As mentioned above, townhouses meet a demand for affordable living options that still offer some space. To get the most from your investment, it’s important to consider the following:
- Location
- Rental market in that area
- Whether you’re targeting a specific demographic
Community feel
Townhouse floorplans are often part of gated communities and smaller development plans which, in ideal situations, create a friendly neighbourhood feel. This can backfire, however, if you can’t stand your neighbours.
What is the average size of a townhouse floor plan?
The size of a townhouse design can be anywhere between 100-200 sqm, with some being larger or smaller.
How much does it cost to build a townhouse?
Townhouses can cost anywhere between $2,700 to $4,000 per square metre. Some of the key factors that will affect the price of your build include:
- The location you’re building in.
- Quality of materials.
- Size of floorplan.
- features, fixtures and fittings.
- Choice of builder.
- Complexity of the project.
- Any delay or developments that affect your timeline.
Keep in mind there will be other expenses including any permits and approvals, and any subdivisions required.
Builders that offer townhouse floor plans
Stroud Homes
What we like about Stroud Homes
- Have a good build-time
- Offer an extensive range of house plans
- Wide range of design options.
Examples of townhome designs offered by Stroud Homes
Vella
Bedrooms:4
Bathrooms:
House Area:
Aria
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2.5
House Area: 179.21sqm2
Kline Homes
What we like about Kline Homes
- Specialise in townhouses
- Based on the Gold Coast
Examples of townhome designs offered by Kline Homes
Is a townhouse suitable for me?
With the cost of building a house rising in recent years, a townhouse is a great option for first-time buyers or those looking to save money on a new home. Most have enough bedrooms and bathrooms to accommodate smaller families, couples and young professionals. They’re best suited to those looking for a house but don’t have the budget or need for a detached home.
Potential downsides
No design is perfect for everyone so here are a few reasons why townhouse designs might not be the best option for you.
- Resale value for townhouse designs tends to be lower than regular houses.
- In prime locations, such as near CBDs and schools, townhouses will still be expensive. This can vary dramatically depending on which city you’re buying in. For example, in Brisbane, an inner-city townhouse can be around 400,000, while in Sydney or Melbourne, it can rise to a whopping 750,000 plus.
- Townhouse designs tend to lack individuality and your home will look nearly identical to your neighbours.
Alternatives to Townhouse designs
Duplexes
Dual Occupancy
Granny Flat (Secondary Dwelling)
Our tips to help you choose a townhouse floor plan for your new home
Make sure the design suits your needs: Before you choose your new home design, it’s always worth taking the time to explore the other options on the market.
Research the rental market: It will pay dividends to research the rental market if you’re planning to build an investment property.
Talk to a financial advisor: Before embarking on building a new home, it’s vital to have an understanding of your financial situation and what you can realistically afford. A huge proportion of building problems come down to money, so sorting out your budget early will prevent a lot of headaches down the line.
Talk to a building broker: Building a new home is one of the biggest projects you’ll ever undertake. It can be overwhelming even for those who’ve done it before, but the great news is you don’t need to go it alone. Buildi can help you choose the right builder and help you avoid any mistakes along the way. Our team have saved our clients thousands of dollars and so much valuable time.
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