What is a Patio Home?

You may have seen the term “patio home” when looking at real estate and have probably wondered what it is. 

Well, in the United States, that means it’s a single family home that doesn’t necessarily need to have a patio. In fact, many don’t. How is that possible? What defines a patio home has nothing to do with porches.

Instead, it is a type of home that is attached to other cluster homes often in patio home communities, usually with shared walls between houses and exterior maintenance and landscaping along with common areas provided via an association fee. Instead of having a typical patio, they will sometimes have concrete slabs or decks, giving a faux-patio mood to the area. 

What is the difference between a patio home and a townhome?

In the simplest terms, the difference between a patio home and a townhouse is size. While townhouses are at least two stories tall, patio homes are one and a half stories or less, typically single story. So, if size is the biggest factor, then what’s the difference between patio homes and condos?

Unlike condo owners, people who own patio homes often own the lot that the unit sits on, the building’s exterior, and property structures (i.e., porch, fence, walkway). While a patio home’s floor plan does share some exterior walls with other homes, there is more privacy than in a condominium. Which means there is a lesser chance of noise disturbances.

The small size and low-maintenance make them popular for people of all ages, from empty-nesters to first-time home buyers. In today’s booming housing market, they are a solid option for home buyers not looking to break the bank. Its small footprint and lot size allows for a lower price point, making buying a home a more financially accessible option. If you’re researching patio homes, you’ll likely come across the term “zero-lot lines.” This is just another phrase for the footprint of the home in relation to the size of the plot it rests on. Most of these homes take up the entire plot of the property. 

How about a garden home?

They are basically the same thing as patio homes, it’s just a different term. Both are homes that share at least one wall with another home, and usually don’t rise higher than one and-a-half stories tall. 

What about home maintenance?

The zero-lot line means there is restricted space for outdoor green spaces. While this may turn some away, the restriction has its perks, making patio homes a great alternative for people who don’t have time to maintain a landscape. Let’s say you travel a lot for work: if you own one of these homes, you wouldn’t have to worry about lawn upkeep while you’re away. The biggest downside to patio homes is the shared exterior walls; however, you’ll likely overhear much less from your neighbors than you would in a condo.

Searching for the perfect patio home for sale?

Trelora real estate currently serves customers in multiple areas: Colorado front range and Summit County, Seattle metro, Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, Phoenix and Tucson, St Louis, Charleston, and Atlanta. Our mission is simple: full service real estate for a fraction of the cost. 

When you hire a traditional agent to help you buy or sell your home, you pay that agent 3-6% of the home’s value. When you hire Trelora to sell your home, you pay one low flat-fee. When you buy a home with Trelora, we will split our commission with you and give you cash back up to $6,000. You’ll also get best-in-class customer service and a team of expert agents who close hundreds of deals per year using our proprietary technology.