Having or owning a house is one of the three basic needs for survival. It is one of the primary goals that people look forward to fulfilling in their lifetime worldwide. Once a person is financially stable to leap to fulfil the dream, the primary question pops up – whether to buy an apartment or buy an independent house/bungalow/villa?

Some people are very clear about their choices regarding their home between an apartment or an independent house. However, for others, the decision between the two choices depends on a few factors that are taken into consideration. The decision is important as it involves huge investments, and for some people, buying a house means giving up on all their savings. Moreover, most people make this type of investment once in their lifetime. The following article discusses the factors that might help one decide between buying an apartment or an independent house – 

What is an Apartment?

In the present times, apartments are a popular choice amongst people. One of the reasons is that they are being produced by builders at an incredible pace. Owing to a dearth of space and migration giving rise to vertical development, apartments have become a common sight and option, especially in the cities. People prefer apartments for amenities, maintenance services and security. 

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What is an Independent House?

Independent houses also go by the connotations - of bungalows and villas. These are independent units constructed on a piece of land. These days, independent houses are also an option in gated societies. In the case of individual houses, the owner has the sole discretion regarding the internal and external design, material selection and usage, space usage, amenities, etc.    

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Factors to Consider Before Deciding

Both an apartment and an independent house come with their sets of advantages and disadvantages. To make your call if the apartment is a right fit for you or an independent house, the following are the factors that one must consider before taking the plunge – 

1. Purpose

Whether you're considering an apartment vs a house for investment or personal living, clarity on the purpose will guide your decision. Once you decide the purpose, the other factors will start falling into place. The purpose of purchase could be self-inhabitation, investment or asset building, to seek tenancy, etc. 

2. Location and Accessibility   

The purpose of the purchase would help you evaluate the choice based on the factors such as location and accessibility. These factors might be different for people at various phases of their lives. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the purpose and the requirements thereof to be able to weigh the factors of location and accessibility of either an apartment or an independent house. Location and accessibility of property would also determine the ease of getting tenants for people seeking apartments or independent houses to rent out or invest. 

3. Family and Family Size

One of the points that help settle the confusion between the two typologies is the size of the family or the type of family (nuclear or joint). The size of the family and foresight can help determine the right choice for your family that is in line with the requirements. For instance, a joint family might opt for an independent house or apartment in the same society or precinct, depending on their space requirements, personal choices, family congeniality, etc. 

This by no means implies that the apartments are for nuclear families or couples. Nuclear families or newlywed couples could opt for independent houses as well, depending on the location, their personal requirements, ambitions and foresight. In short, When considering apartments vs independent houses for families, think about family size, future expansion, and lifestyle preferences.

4. Amenities 

When it comes to amenities, the apartments offer an edge with their provision of diverse amenities. Some amenities that most of the apartments provide are elevators, power backup, 24-hour security, waste management, parking space, social and physical aids, water management, cleaning, maintained green spaces, etc. Specific amenities can not be integrated with an independent house until it is a part of a gated society. 

The provision of amenities makes the living of apartment inhabitants a tad bit easier and hassle-free. This by no means implies that this is not possible in an independent house, but the incorporation of amenities is solely at the discretion of the house's owners. 

*The amenities provided in apartments are determined based on the size and type of housing. Consider all factors before making the choice. Go through the information brochure regarding the nitty-gritty of the amenities provided and the maintenance cost thereof before that final choice. 

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5. Security

In terms of apartment vs house security, Apartments are usually entirely secured owing to security measures like security personnel, CCTV surveillance, secured guest check-in and check-out firefighting, etc. This is rarely the case with independent houses, apart from the possibility that the house or plot forms a part of a gated society. 

6. Design, space utilization and decor

When it comes to design and space utilization, one can say that apartments are more rigid owing to their fixed plans, which contrasts with the complete design freedom in independent houses. With independent houses, the residents or owners can choose to design the spaces according to their utilitarian purposes. The design language can be experimented and explored to suit the design ambitions of the owners. 

The internal decor can be manipulated according to the residents in apartments and independent houses. The grid-based construction of apartments gives a little freedom to remove or introduce walls, as none are load-bearing. While the apartments offer clutter-free and compact living, the independent houses offer expandability according to the expanding requirements of the family in line with the local norms. 

The benefit of independent houses is that one can choose the material palette for construction. This gives an option to opt for materials that are natural, sustainable or greener options for construction. 

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7. Cost Comparison

Apartment vs house cost comparison is a pivotal factor. Following are the cost factors that one should consider while comparing and deciding on an option –   

a. Purchase cost or Building Cost: 

The purchase cost for an apartment is based on the area and circle rates of the locality in which the apartment is based. 

For an independent house, the purchase cost would imply the cost of the land and the related expenses (approval, registry, clearances, etc.). In addition to the purchase cost, the independent houses incur building costs (including fees, materials, construction costs, taxes, etc. A person should be well aware of the costs incurred in both scenarios to make an informed decision.  

b.Maintenance Cost 

Maintenance is the key to preserving any property – apartment or independent house. The apartments have a maintenance plan, and they charge an annual cost for it. Since the amenities are shared, the maintenance is shared as well. The owners of each unit bear the maintenance cost. The maintenance cost is directly proportional to the number of amenities available for the residents. 

In contrast, maintaining an independent house requires effort, time and hassles. Proper foresight during the project's inception phase can sometimes lead to overbearing maintenance costs. However, the material and amenity choice lie with the owners, therefore they can make choices that can help reduce maintenance costs in the long run.   

8. Selling out    

A property is an asset and can be sold out in case of need (increased requirements, cash requirement, moving out, etc.). The ease of selling out an apartment or an independent house would depend on its age and location. Therefore, considering the location and prospects in the future is an important factor when determining the property you are considering buying. 

Bonus Point – For Under Construction or Proposed Properties

If you are considering a property, be it an apartment or an individual house, that is under construction or a proposed one. Be sure to do a background check of the builder in the case of an apartment and a thorough check of the plot of land for the independent house. 

Aspect Comparison: Apartment vs Independent House

Conclusion- Apartment vs Independent House

In the case of apartments, one can expect delays in getting possession of your apartment. This could lead to an undue financial load if you have not planned for it. Therefore, it is advisable to keep flexible timelines and monetary flow. In the case of an independent house, where one has to deal with building everything from scratch, it could be cumbersome if not appropriately planned. However, an independent house provides the benefit of choosing the budget, materials, and, thereby, the timeline. Buying a home is a decision that gives rise to a choice between an apartment and an independent house. There might be people who are precise with their vision and their type of house, but for most people, the confusion persists. The factors that influence the decision are aforementioned.

We would certainly love to hear your thoughts about your experiences buying a house. Please feel free to share them with us in the comments below!

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