Our Blog

What Is a Single-Family Home?

May 20, 2022
Published by Garrette Custom Homes

You might think a single-family home is fairly obvious in its description, and in general, you’re right. It’s what many think of as that classic All-American home for a family, with or without the white-picket-fence. However, there are a few other elements that determine a legal single-family home, a few of which may surprise you. If you are looking for a home builder in Portland OR or in the Puget Sound turn to us to help you achieve your own dream single-family home.

The most obvious features of a single-family home are the fact that it’s a home with no shared walls, on its own land, has its own private entrance and exit, and only one set of utilities is used and not shared with any other buildings. Also, there is one owner, though that can refer to an individual, family, or household, but with undivided interest in the home.

What you may find surprising is that a single-family home will only have one kitchen. If you add another kitchen indoors to create an in-law’s suite or a separate apartment over a garage, that will change the home’s technical zoning, though that may not be an issue, depending on where you’re building. Still, it’s something to keep in mind.

While there are some perks to living in townhomes, condominiums, and other multi-residential properties, in terms of maintenance, lower cost, and sometimes amenities, there’s also the lack of privacy and individuality.

With a single-family home, you have much more freedom to landscape as you see fit, and potentially put in some of your own amenities. You also have more storage, with attics and garages, and often flex rooms and bonus rooms. There’s certainly more peace and quiet without neighbors above, below, or right next to you through a shared wall.

You can also do more with the exterior of your home, especially if you work with a home builder in Portland OR or the Puget Sound like Garrette Custom Homes. We offer a number of exterior choices for our floor plans. Plus, you can add further options to create a home that best represents you and creates a setting where you feel truly comfortable. Contact us today to learn about our homes that are ready to move into now or explore the options of having a home built just for you. Either way, you’ll have a single-family house that you’re happy to call home.

Categorized in: Build on Your Land, Design Tips, Floorplan Tips, Home Decor Tips, home inventory, Market Tips, New Home Tips

This post was written by Garrette Custom Homes