You’re determined to find your perfect home. But choosing between a house and an apartment can be difficult. Use our handy checklist to make your selection process a little easier.
Here are the 5 factors to consider when choosing between a house and an apartment
1. Your Family
A home should fit around a family, and not the other way round. Choosing the perfect home starts with the centre of your life: your family. Whether you’re a five-member family or a coupled-up duo, will determine the space you need to live comfortably. Of course, opting for an eight-bedroom home when there’s just two of you seems a little silly, but your needs and lifestyle may also be a determining factor on this front. Apartment living is great for couples starting out in their careers, but living in a larger house would better suit a family. Let’s not forget your pets too: apartment living may suit a cat, but it definitely won’t suit a dog. Finding the right amount of space for your family is a little easier when you have your heart set on a house, but an apartment may suit your needs better if space isn’t too much of a concern.
2. Your Budget
Of course, what you can afford will also determine your choose between an apartment or house. Budget-wise, it’s often cheaper to purchase an apartment than a house, but that may also depend on the location and size of the property. When looking for an apartment or house to rent, don’t spend more than 30% of your take-home pay. That way, you’ll be able to afford the other all-important life expenses, and still live comfortably in your home.
3. Your Lifestyle
If you love to entertain, and enjoy having friends and family stay over, choosing a house over an apartment may be more sensible. Hosting rowdy dinner parties won’t make you very popular with your neighbours in an apartment block. Having a ‘lock up and go’ apartment, however, may suit your needs better if you’re a regular jetsetter. Typically, an apartment offers more on-site security too, as there are always people around, and most apartment buildings have security measures installed at their entrances.
4. Your Needs
Your family’s needs will be a big deciding factor when choosing between an apartment or house. Your perfect home should be closely located to your work, children’s schools, and other important amenities. A suburban house that’s a short drive away from your office and the children’s schools would be the typical choice for a growing family, while a city apartment that’s close to work would be better-suited for a young couple.
5. Your Style
Once you’ve listed your needs, budget, and catered for your lifestyle, you can get a little more picky about your style. Living in a trendy apartment block may suit your style more than a quaint house. Your hobbies may play a role in your decision too. If you enjoy gardening, choosing to live in a house with a large garden may make your green thumbs happy, although it’s not impossible to grow vegetables and herbs while living in an apartment.
Now that you know what suits you best, let the great search for your perfect home begin!