Buy a terraced house: good or bad idea?
JULY 30th. 2019 | PROPOSED BY OUR PARTNER ING LUXEMBOURG
Interjoined between two houses and consisting of two facades, the terraced house is becoming more and more the norm, especially in cities where land becomes scarce and expensive. But is this really the answer and will it suit your personal situation? ? To help you answer, we suggest you to review the pros and cons of terraced houses.
For the
A terraced house is less expensive to buy
This is especially true when it comes to a new build . The terraced houses are built wall to wall and form, most of the time, a closed architectural ensemble. They are very similar in appearance and exterior and share common costs such as access to the road, water, flow, gas, electricity and telecommunications. This keeps construction costs relatively low, which in turn impacts the selling price.
A terraced house is more energy efficient
It is less beaten by the winds and takes advantage of the heat emitted by the neighboring houses. As a result, you limit your energy consumption and enjoy lower bills than a villa with three or four facades, of the order of 30 to 40% !
The maintenance costs of the adjoining parties are shared
All expenses relating to party walls , fences, hedges and land that you may have in common are borne by your neighbors and you.
Living in a terraced house offers more security
Everyone has a direct eye on their neighbors. You lose a little in discretion but you gain a lot in safety. If you go on vacation, you can rest easy. A terraced house attracts less the attention of thieves than an isolated house. There are too many people nearby and you can not make your way through the paths from the garden or the sides of the houses. And if ever a fire occurs during your absence, your neighbors will soon alert the firefighters !
The direct neighborhood creates social bonds
Good neighborly relations can also be very useful, especially for families with young children, seniors and people in need of care. If you have good relations with your neighbors, you can count on them to help you out - and why not ? - develop over time a strong and lasting friendship.
Counter
A terraced house can be noisier
There is no space separating it from the neighboring houses. However, this space has the advantage of reducing noise. If you buy a semi-detached house that is not well soundproofed , your peace and quiet may be disrupted. You will hear the footsteps of your neighbors on the floor if it is covered with a wooden floor, the operation of their television, the openings and the closing of their doors as well as their conversations when the windows are opened. Not to mention the possible crying of the baby and the barking of the dog. If, in addition, your neighbors tend to be very noisy, your life will quickly become a hell. Solutions exist to strengthen the sound insulation of your home but they have a price !
A terraced house may lack brightness
This will be especially the case if your future acquisition is wedged between two houses in a relatively narrow street. To make your home brighter, you will need to remodel it by, for example, removing walls to enlarge rooms, placing larger windows or installing light reflectors.
Intimacy is less
If your house is semi-detached, your garden will be as well. That's not a problem in itself, but it can be in the summer. If your neighbors love barbecues, have children with well-honed vocal cords and / or have a very particular conception of gardening (their weeds always encroach on your flowerbed every spring!) - you will not enjoy your garden in all serenity . Sunbathing and other private conversations will be avoided. Here too, solutions exist such as the construction of a party wall or the planting of trees but it requires an investment.
You also buy your neighbors
Before acquiring a terraced house, you have interest to inform you in advance about your potential future neighbors. If they turn out to be people who are not receptive to compromise and negotiation, think twice before moving on to buying. Even if you take all the measures mentioned above to preserve your privacy, you will not be able to avoid contact with your neighbors. Keep in mind that if you have good relationships with your neighbors, they may change over time or be replaced by others following a sale or an inheritance.
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