A number of different housing styles and types of ownership are available. Your individual requirements and income level will govern which is most suitable for you at the present time.

• Single Family, Detached Home - has no common walls with any other residential structure and rests on it's own land with front, rear and side yards. It may be any size from a small, one-storey bungalow to a huge mansion.
• Semi-Detached Home - is two single family dwellings joined together by a common middle wall. It is sometimes called a "side-by-side" duplex.
• Duplex - is two separate dwellings which are attached either side by side (a semi-detached home) or one unit above another. This may sometimes be a strata titled property (see below).
• Townhouse - in British Columbia this term is used to describe one of a group of dwellings (usually 2 storey) joined together by common walls, each with it's own entrance from the outside.
  

Purchasing a home is probably one of the biggest financial investments you'll ever make. You'll not only have to live with your decision, but also live in it, so you don't want to make any costly mistakes! Before you start looking for a home, it pays to organize yourself by considering a few basic questions:

• What are my housing needs?
• What are my choices?
• What can I afford to spend?
• Where should I purchase?
• What's the most efficient way to search for a home?
• What services should I expect from my REALTOR®?
• What questions should I ask?
• How do I make an offer on a home?
• Do I need a home inspection?
• Do I need legal assistance to complete the purchase?
• What do I need to organize for moving day?