Builders & Renovations FAQs

Semi Detached Homes Vs. Duplex Homes

What is A Semi-Detached House?

A semi-detached house is a single dwelling that shares one common wall. Semi-detached houses are generally built in pairs with similar floor plans and layouts. Each home has its own block of land, driveway, backyard and entrance.

Benefits of Living in a Semi-Detached Home

More Affordable

When compared to a single-family home, semi-detached houses are much more affordable and are a great option for first-time home buyers. A lower initial price also means a lower mortgage repayment every month.

More Space Than Apartments or Townhouses

While semi-detached houses are smaller than free-standing ones, they usually have more space than a townhouse or an apartment. Semi-detached homes have more space for you to enjoy your garden or backyard.

Lower Maintenance Bills

Sem-detached homes generally have lower maintenance costs than traditional houses. The shared wall reduces the amount of exterior wall to manage and the smaller lot size means there is less work for your garden and lawn.

If you are on good terms with your neighbour, you could also potentially split the cost of the maintenance for shared things such as a fence.

Disadvantages of Semi-Detached Homes

Lots of Noise

Since you are sharing a wall with your neighbour, noises can easily transfer between houses. This is particularly noticeable in newer builds. The amount of common sounds you hear like footsteps, conversations and even vacuum cleaners depends on the age and quality of your semi-detached home as well as the habits of your neighbours. While some noise is obviously expected, excessive noise can impact your peace.

Lack of Privacy

While you have your own space, you are still close to your neighbours. This can lead to lack of privacy, especially in outdoor spaces like patio areas and backyards. Depending on the layout of your semi-detached home, you might also have less privacy inside your home if the windows are close together or face each other.

Limited Renovation and Exterior Customisation Opportunities

Since semi-detached homes are usually built in pairs, they generally look the same with the same floorplan and layout. This makes it harder for you as an owner to put your own spin on things and personalise your home to your liking. You might not be able to change the colour of your house or the style of windows without your neighbours' approval.

What Is A Duplex House?

A duplex house is a smart solution for modern living and suburbs that don’t offer much land space. It’s two separate dwellings that share one roof and one common wall, on the same block of land. Each unit has a separate entrance, garage, patio area and backyard, and is completely self-contained.

The beauty of a duplex home is that it can exist under a single title and be sold together or on two titles and be sold or rented out separately, doubling your potential income.

Benefits of Duplex Living

Great Investment Opportunity

Owning a duplex home means that you have the potential for dual rental income. With two separate units under one roof, you can rent one out while living in the other. This way you can maximise your investment, create passive income and build sustainable long-term wealth.

Flexible Family Living

Whether you’re looking for a place for your kids to stay or you want your elderly parents nearby, duplexes are the way to go. Have your loved ones close without living with them - they are just next door! Duplexes are a great investment for multi-generational living arrangements since you don’t have to buy two separate houses.

Versatility

With a duplex home, you have greater flexibility if you are thinking of selling, renting or subdividing later down the track.

Perfect For Downsizers

If you are looking to sell your current home and stay in your neighborhood, duplexes are a great option.

Disadvantages of Duplexes

Less Privacy

Whilst your duplex unit is completely separate from next door, you’re still in close proximity. This means you won’t have the same level of privacy as a freestanding house and have to share walls and driveways.

Dual Occupancy

If you decide to rent out the second unit in your duplex, you’ll have to deal with your tenants. Having your tenants right next door can add an extra layer of complication if problems arise in the future. Chances are, you may not get along with your tenants.

High Maintenance Costs

Even though the two duplex units are on the same block of land, they are still classed as two separate dwellings. This means double the maintenance costs, double the repairs, double the inspections and so on.