A Guide to Moving to Fort Myers
Whether you’re wondering what makes paired villas different from townhomes, condominiums, and duplexes or you simply just want to learn more about this floorplan style, read on to have all your villa home questions answered!
What Is a Paired Villa?
If you have never heard of a paired villa before—you’re not alone! This isn’t a commonly used home style term.
A paired villa is typically a single-story home right next to another single-story home. However, both homes have opposite entries and porches, two separate garages, and two back patios / yards.
The common features between these two homes include the following:
- A shared wall
- Exterior design, including siding, stone, shutter, and trim color
There’s only one instance when a paired villa may consist of two stories, and that’s if the home comes with a bonus room addition on its own floor upstairs.
Villa vs. Condo, Townhome, and Duplex: What’s the Difference?
Although some people use the words villa and condo interchangeably, they have some slight differences when considering the location of the home and purpose behind the term. Depending on what region of the country you find yourself in, these terms can vary.
With so many different names for homes that seem to have a similar layout and style, let’s differentiate each.
Paired Villa vs. Condo
A condo is simply a term to describe how a building is owned. One condo unit is typically part of a larger complex. With a condo, you don’t fully own the home—a condo association maintains it all.
Additionally, you don’t always share a wall with another unit in a condo.
Paired Villa vs. Townhome
A townhome is a narrow, multi-level home that shares one to two walls with the unit(s) next to it, but each unit has its own entrance.
The biggest differences between a paired villa and a townhome is that a paired villa is one-story, whereas a townhome consists of two or more; and a townhome is more narrow and vertical, whereas a villa is wider and more spread-out in its structural design.
Paired Villa vs. Duplex
A duplex is a two-unit structure that shares a wall, much like a paired villa. Duplexes are units designed to be mirror images of the other.
Often, an individual will own both units but rent out the other side. Many people live in a townhome or duplex before moving up to a single family home.
Although that could also be the case with a villa, typically a paired villa is an ideal option for those looking to downsize while still maintaining ownership of a home and customizing it to fit your vision.
What Are the Benefits of Living in a Paired Villa?
A common benefit present in our M/I Homes paired villa home communities is that exterior maintenance is already taken care of for you, including lawn care, snow removal, weeding, and shoveling!
Less work keeping your home’s exterior in tip-top shape means more time doing the things that bring you the most joy and less stress when it comes to outdoor upkeep.
In addition, with bedrooms and everything else you need being conveniently located on one floor, you won’t have to worry about taking trips up the stairs.
One of the greatest advantages is the sense of community you’ll gain—especially since our paired villa communities include so many on-site amenities! Many of our happy homeowners have developed lasting friendships with the neighbors around them through sharing common hobbies and interests.
Plus, if you have an inseparable friend or family member, you could even be neighbors and live right next to each other (literally)!
Can I Build a Paired Villa Home?
Yes, depending on the availability in each of the M/I Homes communities that offer this product. Building a paired villa with M/I Homes means you get to bring the vision of your new home to life by choosing all the fixtures and finishes you want!
Buying a new home is one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make, so it’s important to do your research and determine if a paired villa is the right fit. If you’re looking to own a beautiful new home with less upkeep than a typical single family home, a paired villa may be the perfect option!
If you’re interested in learning more about owning a paired villa home, contact our team today.
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