House types
There are many different housing types today and each has advantages and disadvantages that you should be aware of. For example, a single-family home does not have home owner's dues because there are no common facilities that you share. Most of the other housing types do have a monthly fee to cover the cost of paying for these common facilities. Your realtor can explain all of this to you. You should know what it is that you're actually buying and what obligations you are undertaking.
A single-family home is a one-unit dwelling. Duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes are single structures designed for two, three or four separate housing units. Multifamily dwellings are typically buildings with five or more units.
A condominium owner holds full title to a single unit. plus an undivided interest in the property and common areas.
In a planned unit development, residents own a housing unit and its lot. They share the use of and responsibility for the common areas.
A co-op owner owns shares in an apartment building.
A townhouse can be either a single-family dwelling or a condominium, depending upon the development plan.