• Single-Family, Detached

This house sets on its own lot, generally with a setback from surrounding homes and the road frontage. The owner usually has ownership of the house and lot, although there may be some types of common area in the neighborhood controlled by a community association. In most areas, this is the most common and most popular type of housing. It has maximum privacy and market appeal and is well suited to those who enjoy gardening and lawn maintenance and not adverse to some upkeep chores.
 
• Planned Unit Development

Homes in a planned unit development, or PUD, often are grouped into clusters to provide open common areas. Owners sacrifice individual yard space for common recreational space. Design allows a higher density, so that these homes may be more affordable than comparable detached homes. Use of common areas and right to modify the exterior of homes may be limited.
 
• Townhouse

These units are attached, but each unit has direct access to the outside. They can be one story but most often have two or three floors. Grounds and exterior structure of the building usually is held in common ownership. Townhouses offer high density living with some degree of privacy and space. Maintenance duties are handled by homeowners association.
 
• Apartment-Style Condominium

Units in these developments are stacked above one another into a low- to high-rise building. Everything except the interior space of the units is owned in common and governed by the by-laws of the condominium. This arrangement limits both the owner’s responsibility for upkeep and repair and the owner’s right to use or modify the property. This type of housing can be among the most inexpensive or most expensive housing, depending on location and design amenities.
 
• Co-op Apartment

A Co-op is similar to a condominium except the homeowner buys a share in a company that owns the building. The homeowner has the right to occupy a unit in the building. The co-op usually has some control over who can buy into the building, as well as how the building is run. The homeowner pays "rent" which goes toward building expenses, including financing. Co-ops are special purpose housing and are rare in Texas.
 
• Duplex, Triplex, Quadraplex

These are multi-family buildings in which the owner may occupy one unit while renting out the other units. If the owner can keep the units rented and doesn’t mind living alongside his or her tenants, the situation can provide almost cost-free housing. Some consider this a good way to get started as a real estate investor.
 
• Previously-Occupied House

These homes have a "track record." Any faults should be apparent, especially to a trained home inspector. Likewise, these homes tend to be in well established neighborhoods. Depending on condition, these homes should be less expensive than comparable newly-built homes.
 
• New (Never Occupied) House

These homes have been built "on spec," meaning that a builder produced homes designed to appeal to the market and proceeded to try to sell them. Often these houses have homeowner warranties to cover defects for the first several years. Other than defects, upkeep should be minimal, and major replacements and repairs should be down the road. It may be difficult to evaluate the neighborhood if the home is part of a sizable subdivision, especially if you are one of the first buyers in the development.
 
• Custom-Built House

In this case, you decide on the design, quality of materials, colors and workmanship. It is critical to select a competent general contractor, line up adequate financing and be willing to monitor the building progress. Alternative living arrangements are required while the project is underway.
 
• Historical House

This home will not only be somewhat old but should have some degree of historic character to its design. It appeals to those with an appreciation for lifestyles, and possibly the values, of the past. It may or may not be in an historic district. If not, there is the threat of changing land use in the neighborhood, which may compromise the residence. Physical condition of the house may be hard to fully evaluate.
 
• Contemporary Design House

Contemporary designs generally use various architectural devices, such as atriums and large expanses of glass, to give the homes a modern look. They may or may not incorporate energy-conserving design features. They can be sophisticated housing that uniquely suits its site but may have limited market appeal at resale.
 
• Multi-Level House

Two-story and split-levels usually provide lots of floor space on a standard size lot. They can be designed with dramatic effects, such as high, cathedral ceilings in living and entertaining areas, some amount of physical effort and dexterity is required to access all parts of the home.
 

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