House types from A – Z: Features, definitions and advantages & disadvantages

You want to take the next step and are looking for a new property – preferably a house? Then you’ve come to the right place! There are so many different types of houses, it’s hard to choose, and it’s not easy to keep track of them all. We have listed all the house types below with brief definitions and a link to a comprehensive article for you. Get to know the different house types with their respective characteristics and find exactly the right house for you!

Tip. Are you looking for the perfect property for your future? Here you will find tips and necessary information for buyers: Buying a house

Bungalow: no stairs, one floor, flat roof & space

Many people know the word bungalow from the context of holidays. But bungalows are not only popular holiday homes, but also a possible choice for your own home. A bungalow is one thing above all: practical – and modern. This type of house is especially popular with young families, as it combines all living spaces on one floor and, especially due to the absence of stairs, does not pose a danger to children or senior citizens. Choosing the right house is certainly not easy, because it is an important decision that may affect your whole life. Here you can find out everything you need to know about bungalows.

• Bungalow

Semi-detached house: Living with direct neighbours & garden

The semi-detached housing solution can be a slightly cheaper alternative to whole houses. Often you don’t even have to compromise on living space. Rather, the space is saved around the house. As a result, semi-detached houses can save you money. Additionally, it could be that you share garden space with neighbor.

A semi-detached house promises the optimum living comfort with the area of a house at a lower price. Sounds very appealing in itself, but any other option, this concept also comes with its own positive and negative factors, which we will discuss in more detail later. However, for now, we’d like to tell you a little more about what the living spaces of a semi-detached house might look like.

• Semi-detached house

Single-family home: building, buying or renting

The traditional single-family home hasn’t been so traditional for a long time. Quite the opposite. The single-family house is rightly the most popular house form in Germany and is becoming increasingly modern. From the floor plan, to energy regulations, to the little extras. Your house is up to date. Especially for young families, this type of house is something very special, as this will usually be the first home of their own. Are you interested in building, buying or renting?

Of course, when you ask this question, you’ll think directly of a townhouse or duplex. However, this is not everything. A detached house can be much more than just standard. Especially if you are interested in a self-build, you should look into the latest and most modern standards. Here you can find out all about the advantages and disadvantages of a detached house, useful tips and everything you need to know, from the perfect plot of land to the correct energy regulations.

• Single-family house

Half-timbered house: renovation and historical charm in facade & co.

The rustic houses, which are especially widespread in Europe, have their own personal charm. Especially in the countryside and in villages, you can still find some of these historic buildings. But what looks so appealing to many from the outside can quickly be associated with high costs: renovation or even refurbishment are often necessary for a half-timbered house. But if a half-timbered house has been modernised or at least overhauled, it is an absolutely unique and magical piece.

In classic half-timbered houses, materials such as straw, clay and even calf’s hair were used not only to build a wall, but also to insulate it additionally. The most striking feature of half-timbered houses is the façade, in which the literal half-timbering – the beam construction of the house – is openly visible. Often the “work”, i.e. the wooden beams, is not plastered in the interior either, and accordingly a unique living atmosphere is offered. How you can protect yourself from too high costs and still fulfill your dream of a half-timbered house, we tell you here.

• Half-timbered house

Holiday home / weekend house: Living at the holiday resort with sea view

Who does not know it? You’ve simply fallen in love with a place and would love to spend every free minute there. But the workplace and the focus of life are simply too much anchored in the actual home. In such a situation the option of a holiday home opens up. Whether on the beach or by the lake – a holiday home or weekend house can be located basically anywhere.

Whether a holiday home or a holiday apartment is really suitable for you, if the property is not purchased for pure investment purposes, is determined above all by whether the chosen place pleases you and makes your heart beat faster with every visit. Criteria, characteristics, and the question of whether and how we try to answer you in the following article.

• Holiday home / weekend house

Prefabricated house: The quick dream of a house, construction phase, selection and more

What is actually a prefabricated house? This question is very difficult to answer, because this type of house is very diverse. Most providers have a large repertoire of prefabricated house types and you are spoilt for choice. Do you want to live in a detached house? In a housing estate or rather a bungalow? With a cellar, garage and garden? These are all important aspects that you should and can consider when planning your house. Because a prefabricated house is one thing above all: versatile. The main advantage is that there are no long and costly construction phases, because the house is literally already finished. Features and advantages & disadvantages you will find in the following article.

• Prefabricated house

Country house: land, garden and life with the closeness to nature

A country house is a residential building on an estate. The large property in a rural environment usually has a spacious garden. A country house does not only convince by its size and the free space but also by its rustic, romantic charm. But nowadays you can find the country house style more and more often in the city.

This country house style is determined by massive buildings with generous proportions. The house entrances are usually strikingly designed, but the long balconies, terraces, dormers and pavilions are also eye-catchers. Folding shutters, doors, windows and railings made of real wood ensure the perfect harmony of the house. Sometimes the property also includes a conservatory or a carport. Wood, rattan, stone and ceramics, natural materials are mainly used in country houses. The floors are tiled in warm colours. A tiled stove makes this country house cosy and warm – the warmth radiates throughout the entire living space of the house.

• Country house

Solid house: construction, durability & features

A solid house is the construction method of a house, in which a house is built according to the plan of an architect with solid building materials. Each house here becomes unique due to the individual wishes of the respective builder.

The opposite of a solid house is a prefabricated house: In a prefabricated house, the house is built according to the modular principle and consists of a wooden construction. The house is built brick by brick. The building materials are delivered to the construction site, where they are assembled into a finished house by specialist companies. The building materials used for walls and floors are aerated concrete, sand-lime bricks or goat bricks. The staircase and roof construction, on the other hand, is usually made of wood. Learn more about solid houses in the following article.

• Massive house

Terraced house: door to door with the neighbours, purchase price & Co.

Looking for an affordable home near the city? Then how about a terraced house? A terraced house is the perfect alternative between a city apartment and a house in the country. Low purchase price, small garden and/or a terrace in a friendly neighbourhood. We show you what makes a terraced house so attractive and why families and couples in particular like to settle in this type of house.

A terraced house is a row of individual houses which are built directly next to each other without any space in between. However, there is no access between the houses, so there is still the privacy of a normal house. Most of these houses have a minimum size of 160m².

• Terraced house

Beach house: House by the sea – the dream of a house on holiday

You love to listen to the sound of the sea, gaze at the starry sky while the sand tickles between your toes and you breathe in the salty sea breeze? Who says these classic holiday memories should only be part of vacations? Why live in a cramped rented apartment, expose yourself to daily exhaust fumes, and work out in a gym with concrete walls? In this day and age where mobile working has become the norm, Pilates and surfing on the beach are among our favorite activities, and the thirst for adventure is constantly on the rise, the beach house seems to have established itself as the new dream property par excellence. The beach house as an investment, vacation home or home of your own! Convince yourself!

• Beach house

Villa: Living in luxury with lots of space & garden

In the past, a villa, especially the city villa, was often used as a second or country house to be close to the city. This applied exclusively to the wealthier urban population. Nowadays, that has changed. City mansions are no longer used as second homes and are primarily occupied by many families. Meanwhile you have the possibility to renovate an old building or to build a new one. A special advantage is the large garden and the pool, which is often included. In this article you will learn everything important about villas. Buying, building, in a modern style or more traditional? You decide!

• Villa

Energy efficient building

1. Low-energy house
2. Zero-energy house
3. Passive House

Low-energy house: characteristic values, construction & requirements

Sustainable living is a trend that is becoming more and more prevalent and also enjoys state support. Therefore, the interest in environmentally conscious housing solutions is growing more and more. For this reason, we have decided to put together the most important facts about efficient living, so that you can decide whether a low-energy house could also be interesting for you.

Caution is advised when buying and renting a low-energy house, because: The term is not associated with specific requirements for the house! Only if one would like to make the housing unit energetically valid with KFW, certain requirements are made. These should meet a low-energy house in any case. What exactly these are, we will explain to you in more detail below.

• Low-energy house

Zero energy house: definition & advantages and disadvantages at a glance

Since November 2009 the long constructed idea of the zero energy house has become reality and more and more people are now dreaming of turning their own house into a zero energy house. Especially when buying a new home, this type of house has gained popularity. However, many do not know much about the term and simply associate it with sustainable living.

Zero-energy houses are small, building planning and energetic masterpieces. A zero-energy house is oriented in its standard value to the passive house. This means that it does not exceed the energy requirement of 15 kWh/sqm per year (regulation of the Passive House Institute Darmstadt) and also produces the consumed energy itself through photovoltaics and solar thermal energy. This means that a zero-energy house forms a completely self-sufficient entity and is not dependent on electricity purchases. What is actually behind this type of house, you will learn in the following article.

• Zero-energy house

Passive house: new construction, features and costs

Sustainable housing options are divided into different house options. Part of them are zero energy houses, low energy houses and also passive houses. You can also find detailed articles on other options in our magazine, but here we will only talk about the passive house for the time being.

A house is called a passive house as soon as it requires less than 15 kWh/sqm per year. This value is achieved through various measures in the construction of the house. Multiple glazed windows and high-quality insulation reduce the transmission heat loss and thus minimise heating costs.

• Passive House

Holiday & weekend home: What makes a good holiday home?

Whether a holiday home or a holiday apartment is really suitable for you is determined – if the property is not bought for pure investment purposes – above all by whether you like the place you have chosen and whether it makes your heart beat faster every time you visit it.

Apart from this, factors like the condition of the house or the location of the property are highly relevant. Also, you need to be aware that while you are away, your home should be maintained by a service company. This will safeguard you if you cannot be present once you rent out your property and also help you guarantee that the tenants leave the property in a good condition.

In terms of the location of your holiday home, there are many freedoms on offer. However, holiday homes by the beach, lake, sea or other popular holiday destinations, as well as popular cities, are always a better bet than anything that is very secluded.

But at the end of the day, if you’re buying the holiday home for your own use too, you need to feel comfortable and want to spend time in the place again and again. Because only then is it worth buying the house.

Are you looking for the right house? Then check out our guide! Here you will find definitions, meanings and lots of information: House types from A-Z

Area and equipment: furniture, rooms, space & comfort

In order to be able to use a holiday home reasonably and also rent it out well, a few requirements should be met. The house should have wet rooms and a kitchen. The kitchen should at best be fully equipped with all the essentials that are needed. That means concretely: pans, pots, dishes and cutlery should be provided by you.

There should also be bedding available. Speaking of bedrooms: People often ask how many bedrooms a holiday home should have to be appealing. There is no direct answer to this question, because it all depends on which group of customers you want to address. Also relevant is the minimum number of rooms you would need for a visit.

Having some sort of living room with a screen or even a sound system, adds to the value of the holiday home, as little extras like this will motivate potential renters to invest the extra euro to spend their holiday in your home.

Source: Holiday home (Lukinski.de)

Advantages & disadvantages of a holiday home: costs, guests and more

A house of one’s own, in which one spends one’s holidays, sounds very tempting at first. However, you should not forget the disadvantages and the effort that is associated with such an investment. For this reason, we have collected the advantages and disadvantages for you to make the decision a little easier.

Pros: Capital investment and cheap holidays

A holiday home has always been a dream of yours and you are finally able to fulfill this dream? Then we would like to present you here a few more advantages that favor the purchase. For example, if you like to invest your money, but like to see what you have, a holiday home is suitable. However, this is associated with extra effort.

• Tangible investment
• Reduction of holiday costs
• Source of income
• Dream Fulfillment

Disadvantages: Service providers and unwanted guests

Now here come all the points that push the holiday home out of the list of top investments. Maintenance costs. The payment for the service provider who takes care of the property when you are not there, the fact that you can’t really choose your guests, all these points lead to the bitter taste that holiday homes bring with them:

• Maintenance costs
• Service costs
• Unknown guests
• Often not profitable

Holiday home: At what point is the investment worthwhile?

Let’s say you’ve been thinking about buying a holiday home, but you’re not planning to rent it out because the extra costs just seem too high? Then we have bad news, because the investment is only really worth it when you rent out your holiday home.

Otherwise, you would have to speculate that the property value of your home will increase massively in the long run without having to invest much in the home.

Couples, families and seniors: for whom are holiday homes suitable?

The more people who go on holiday, the more expensive the relaxing trips become, so if you’ve found a place with your family that you like to revisit every year, a permanent holiday home there could be an option for you.

However, you should also be aware that you won’t be going on holiday with all your children forever. There comes a point in a child’s life when he or she prefers to go on holiday with friends. Or even your own children? Then the question is whether the goal is still the same.

Alternatively, the residence originally planned as a holiday home could be transformed into a home for retirement. However, this change could also entail the need for renovation measures to adapt the house to the new needs.

Property: selection and features for the perfect holiday home

You want to build a holiday home, but have neither a plan nor a plot of land on which the dream house should become a reality? We have compiled a few factors for you, which you should consider when choosing your plot. Of course, depending on your preferred location.

By the sea: sun and beach

A holiday home, preferably directly on the beach with a view of the ocean, is what many dream of. But when choosing a plot of land by the sea, there are a few things to consider, because the sandy ground, the sea air and strong winds can cloud the house happiness.

Building on sand is difficult and requires some preparation by the construction company, because a foundation should be created that does not sink away so quickly on the slippery ground.

The exterior walls of your home shouldn’t be too fragile either. Aside from stronger winds chasing unchecked across the ocean, the abrasion from salty ocean air should not be underestimated. The closer the property is to the ocean, the more exposed the house is to the forces of nature that the beach brings with it.

Tip. We also have an extra post about beach houses for you, check it out!

At the lake: cool refreshment with lake view and swimming in the morning

The lake is probably the most pleasant of the three when it comes to special conditions. Pebble may not be the best surface, but usually the ‘beaches’ around the lake don’t stretch very far. But lake environments in particular are often very touristy areas, and the living in the regions is accordingly higher than in other regions.

In the mountains: impressive heights & hiking trails

Completely different problems can come up in the mountains. Depending on your destination, there are different factors to consider. In general, however, you can expect low temperatures and snow masses, especially at high altitudes. Your house should therefore offer a stable roof and above all be well insulated, so that neither you nor your guests have to freeze.

What types of houses are suitable as holiday homes?

As well as the holiday home, we’ve taken a closer look at a few other types of homes for you in our magazine. The beauty of a holiday home is that it can be anything you want it to be, should you choose a new build.

For this reason, we would like to introduce you to three types of houses that are particularly suitable for a Holidays Escape. Don’t let this limit you though, if you have an idea or a notion, it’s best to contact an architectural or engineering firm in the area who specialise in dealing with the circumstances of your favourite area. They can often give you detailed advice and possibly even a quote.

Bungalow: Living without stairs?

This house form offers you ground level living in an area that you determine. The advantages of this are that it is barrier-free, which benefits children and older people. In addition, the bungalow offers the possibility of merging indoor and outdoor space. Especially for a holiday home this circumstance is nice, because accesses to the beach or lake can be used directly.

Detached house: Families and children are welcome!

Depending on the planned size, the form of the detached house is also suitable. Strictly speaking, the bungalow is even a type of detached house, just like the villa and the semi-detached house. Nevertheless, we wanted to take the opportunity to draw your attention to our article on the single-family house, which contains even more useful information on this type of house.

Villa: space, comfort and prestige with garden

Go big or go home! Are you someone who doesn’t want to do without maximum luxury even on holiday? Then a villa is the perfect solution for you. A holiday villa promises luxurious furnishings and plenty of living space. Best of all, of course, equipped with a private pool, in case, for example, the sea temperature does not quite meet your expectations. With a villa, hardly any wish remains unfulfilled.

Holiday home furnishing: Ideas and interior brands for your dream home

Especially the furnishing of a holiday home should be well thought out, because after all, you not only want to relax here yourself, but also offer the paying guests a real feel-good experience. For this purpose and of course also for your everyday living environment, we have looked around at the most popular and exclusive brands, so that you will definitely find the right furniture for your living dreams.

So, check out our interior brands guide for some inspiration. You will be introduced to numerous brands such as the following:

• Boca do Lobo
• Hermès
• Armani
• Minotti and more…

Also exciting: Trendy interior styles for your perfect interior inspire you in this article: Interior Styles XXL