In this article, I will explain briefly about Different types of dwellings. We will also look into the pros and cons of each.
Unit vs apartment vs villa vs townhouse vs duplex vs community titled vs battleaxe vs house
Unit Dwellings
Older types of apartments are called units. They are usually low-rise and 5 to 10 in a complex only. Again units come with strata that you have to pay every quarter. Depending upon the age of the unit, there may be maintenance that needs to be done and strata may be occasionally high at times. Strata payments go up or down depending on the work required to be done. Older units are usually double brick construction.
Pros: Older units are generally double brick in construction. Have stood the times of test. Solid construction. The purchase cost will be lesser than the new apartments.
Cons: Since they are old, may require more money via strata to maintain them. May not have that posh new look.
Apartment Dwellings
These are newer types of units. They are usually high-rise and 100’s in a complex. They normally come with underground parking, a swimming pool, a common area, lifts, security access, and cameras. So in this case strata may also be high to maintain these amenities.
Pros: Newer look, brick veneer. Modern facilities like pool, gym. Better access security via cards. Posh high-rise living. Generally closer to the city.
Cons: Generally it has a lift, pool, and gym, hence will have more quarterly payments for the strata.
Villa Dwellings
Villas are single-level dwellings. They are usually 5 to 10 in a complex and have common walls. These are also strata titled. Very popular in the suburbs which are closer to the city.
Pros: Generally closer to the city. Fewer strata as there are fewer common things to maintain.
Cons: Less per sq area, hence less spacious.
Townhouse Dwellings
Townhouses are double-story dwellings. They are usually 5 to 10 in a complex and have common walls. These are also strata titled. Very popular in the suburbs which are closer to the city.
Pros: Good Compromise between the villa and the house. Cheaper than a house.
Cons: Still have to pay strata along with the mortgage.
Free-standing House Dwellings
This house looks like a townhouse but may not have a common wall. Usually, an old house is demolished, and depending upon frontage and council approval, two independent houses without a common wall are constructed out of it.
Pros: Newer construction, no strata
Cons: Lesser area than a house (usually they are around 300 sqm)
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Duplex Dwellings
This is one house divided into 2. They usually don’t have strata and are torrens titled. Only the roof is common and the common wall is there. Builders usually buy an old house and construct two joined houses on it. They are normally always double-story.
Pros: Good compromise between townhouse and house. Usually closer to the city. No strata
Cons: Sometimes they are significantly higher in price. This is due to new construction and being closer to the city needs more money to buy land and build.
Community Titled Dwellings
These are like normal houses but may form part of an estate. They may have a common road, bbq place, and park to maintain. For that, residents have to collect a community fee for the maintenance of common items.
Pros: Have common facilities like parks, bbq places.
Cons: Extra money needs to be shelled out for things u may not use.
Battleaxe Dwellings
This is a house that is not street-facing but is behind the main house. It has a long driveway that goes from the side of the main house to the house behind it.
Pros and Cons of Battleaxe
Driveway
To get access to the site you will require at least 20m of driveway and perhaps a turning area. This will have substantial costs. I would allow at least $500/m of the driveway for a temporary gravel driveway during construction and concrete at completion. You may save on this cost by going for a Small Strata Development with a common driveway, instead of a Battle Axe Block but: Getting an agreement from your neighbor to use the access for the construction can be difficult.
In my experience, the best way to have good relations with neighbors is to minimize causes for disputes. Sharing a driveway means that your parking options are limited.
Looking after the shared driveway is like some of the ‘Community Title’ issues (see this link: Community Title )
An advantage of that long driveway is if you put a gate with a childproof lock at the front it gives a safe area for toddlers to play.
Additional Service Costs
You will need to bring in some if not all of the following services for an extra 20-30m.
- Power.
- Phone.
- Water could be two services if you want recycled water.
- Gas, if it is available.
- Stormwater drainage can be a problem if inadequate falls and property drains to the road.
- Sewer, usually this is at the back of the block but check before you buy.
- House
These are normal single-story or double-story houses
Pros and cons of house
- Independent house.
- You can add value according to ur wish, like granny, knockdown rebuild.
- Significantly higher in price as ur own land comes at a price
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Disclaimer: Articles in this blog are just the author’s or authors’ personal opinions.
It may or may not be correct. Please do your own due diligence and seek professional advice according to your own personal circumstances. The author or authors cannot be held responsible/liable for any content in this blog.
*all images are for illustration purposes only
