The 8 Main Types of Houses in Quebec
The Quebec real estate market is as vast as it is diverse. Whether you're looking for your very first property, a family home to raise your children, or are even just curious, it's always interesting to understand the types of houses available on the market in the province.
Bungalows, two-story houses, townhouses, plexes, condos... each type of property has its own characteristics, with strengths and weaknesses.
We present the 8 main types of properties that you can find throughout Quebec.
1. Bungalow
2. Cottage
3. Split-level
4. Semi-detached
5. Townhouse
6. Plex
7. Mobile home
8. Condominium
What are the different types of properties in Quebec?
1. Bungalow
Bungalows are particularly popular in Quebec for their accessibility and simplicity, offering all living space on one level.
.jpg "Maison de plain-pied (bungalow)")
Description: A bungalow is a detached house with all the main rooms (living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms) located on a single floor, the ground floor. They are very often built on a foundation with a basement.
Key Features: Their simple design and single-story structure make them particularly accessible. The basement provides additional space, often used as a family room, office, or storage area.
Pros: Single-story living is ideal for people with limited mobility and families with young children, for example. Its design also facilitates exterior maintenance.
Cons: Living space is more limited than in a two-story house, among other things. The basement can be dark or less airy.
| Bungalow | |
| Ideal for |
|
| Average price* | $$ |
| Location | Suburb |
| Space | Medium |
| Maintenance | Moderate |
*Prices vary greatly according to the region.
2. Cottage (or Two-Story House)
A symbol of the traditional family home, the cottage is a popular choice, appealing for its clear separation between the living areas on the ground floor and the bedrooms upstairs.
Description: A cottage is a two-story detached house with the bedrooms upstairs and the living areas downstairs. In most cases, they also have a basement.
Key Features: Space and the clear separation between living and sleeping areas are the key features.
Pros: Two-story houses offer greater privacy thanks to the separation of bedrooms. They also offer more space than other types of houses, making them ideal for larger families.
Cons: Stairs can be a challenge for young children, people with limited mobility, or the elderly. Exterior maintenance is more complex than a smaller house due to the height and square footage of the house.
| Cottage | |
| Ideal for |
Big families |
| Average price* | $$$ |
| Location | Suburb |
| Space | Large |
| Maintenance | Moderate to high |
*Prices vary greatly according to the region.
3. Split-Level House
A split-level house offers a dynamic and distinct interior layout, where short staircases connect the different half-levels to optimize space.
Description: A split-level house is divided into several levels with short staircases connecting the floors. The house can have several configurations. For example, the entrance leads down a few steps to the basement and a few steps to the living room and other living areas.
Key Features: The steps provide a very distinct separation of spaces. Ceilings can be of different heights on different levels, which adds an interesting architectural dimension.
Pros: This type of house is often affordable and offers space for the whole family.
Cons: The many steps can be less practical, especially for young children, people with limited mobility, and the elderly.
| Split-Level | |
| Ideal for |
Families |
| Average price* | $$ to $$$ |
| Location | Suburb |
| Space | Medium to large |
| Maintenance | Moderate |
*Prices vary greatly according to the region.
4. Semi-detached House
An excellent option for first-time buyers, a semi-detached house offers the independence of a single-family home while sharing a common wall with a neighbouring unit.
.jpg "Maison jumelée (semi-détaché)")
Description: A semi-detached house consists of two side-by-side houses that share a common wall. Each unit has its own entrance and lot. The number of floors and layout of this type of house varies, but the two units in a semi-detached house are mostly identical or mirror-image.
Key Features: Despite the shared wall, they offer the same features as a single-family home.
Pros: They are often more affordable than detached houses, which is ideal for first-time buyers. Heating costs and some maintenance expenses can be reduced through sharing.
Cons: A semi-detached house offers less privacy than a detached house. Noise can become a problem if the insulation is not optimal.
| Semi-detached | |
| Ideal for |
|
| Average price* | $$ |
| Location | Suburban and peri-urban areas |
| Space | Medium |
| Maintenance | Low to moderate |
*Prices vary greatly according to the region.
5. Townhouse
Ideal for urban living, the townhouse is a structure that is often tall and narrow, making it possible to optimize space in densely populated areas.
.jpg "Maison de ville ou maison en rangée")
Description: Townhouses are a series of houses that share common walls on each side, with the exception of corner units. Like semi-detached houses, each unit has its own entrance and lot.
Key features: Spaces are maximized in height, often with multiple floors (two or three). They generally have only one facade.
Pros: Townhouses are often less expensive than detached houses and are often well-located. Exterior maintenance is minimal.
Cons: With neighbours close by on all sides, privacy is limited. Also, the lack of windows on some sides can make spaces darker. Furthermore, stairs can also be a challenge in some cases.
| Townhouse | |
| Ideal for |
|
| Average price* | $$ |
| Location | Urban and peri-urban areas |
| Space | Small to medium |
| Maintenance | Low |
*Prices vary greatly according to the region.
6. Plex (duplex, triplex, etc.)
A plex (duplex, triplex, etc.) is an income-producing property that allows the owner to generate rental income to finance their mortgage.
Description: A plex contains several units stacked on top of each other. A duplex contains two units, a triplex has three, etc.
Key features: In many cases, the owner of the plex occupies one of the units and rents out the other(s). This makes it an attractive investment opportunity.
Pros: It's an excellent way to own a home while generating income. In addition, the potential for value appreciation is high.
Cons: Tenant management can be demanding, and renovations can be costly and complex. This type of property also offers less privacy than a detached house.
| Plex | |
| Ideal for |
Investors (wether owner-occupiers or not) |
| Average price* | $$ to $$$ |
| Location | City and densifying neighbourhoods |
| Space | Variable |
| Maintenance | High |
*Prices vary greatly according to the region.
7. Mobile Home
A mobile home is often the most affordable solution on the market, consisting of a prefabricated structure usually installed on rented land in a residential park.
Description: A mobile home is a prefabricated structure, built in a factory and transported to the site. They are often located in mobile home parks, where the owner rents the land.
Key Features: Their main advantage is their financial aspect: they are one of the most affordable options.
Pros: With a significantly lower purchase price than a traditional home, a mobile home is an attractive option for first-time buyers and young families.
Cons: Depreciation in value is a risk to consider, as the land does not belong to the homeowner. Additionally, land rental fees can increase over time.
| Mobile Home | |
| Ideal for |
|
| Average price* | $ |
| Location | Mobile home parks and suburb |
| Space | Small |
| Maintenance | Low |
*Prices vary greatly according to the region.
8. Condominium
A condominium (or condo) is the ideal option for those seeking a modern lifestyle without the hassle of exterior maintenance, in exchange for co-ownership fees.
.jpg "Condominium (condo), appartement, copropriété")
Description: A condo is an apartment in a shared building. Each owner owns their own unit, but the common areas (hallways, elevators, pool, gym) are managed and maintained by a co-ownership association.
Key Features: The condo is a modern and practical solution. Co-owners share the costs of common areas and building maintenance.
Pros: This is an excellent option for those who don't want to worry about exterior maintenance like lawn mowing or snow removal. Many modern condos offer amenities like pools and gyms.
Cons: Condominium fees are added to the mortgage payment and will continue even after the mortgage is paid off. Condo living offers less privacy than a house and requires strict compliance with co-ownership rules.
| Since the entry into force of Bill 16 (August 2025), co-ownerships must comply with new administrative and technical requirements (contingency fund, maintenance logbook, property study, etc.). While these measures are intended to protect owners, they can represent additional costs and more complex management for condominium associations and, by extension, for co-owners. |
| Condominium | |
| Ideal for |
|
| Average price* | $ to $$$ |
| Location | City and densifying neighbourhoods |
| Space | Variable |
| Maintenance | Very low |
*Prices vary greatly according to the region.
Choosing Your Property Types
Of course, there is no universally best choice, as everything depends entirely on your criteria: your budget, the space required, the level of maintenance, and your lifestyle.
Sometimes, starting with a smaller but more affordable option, such as a condo or mobile home, can be a good way to get onto the property ladder more quickly and then accumulate capital to move to a larger property type, such as a two-story house, after a few years.
If you're looking for your first property or looking to move into something more suitable for you, your Sutton real estate broker can assist you in your project. With their market knowledge and commitment, they'll help you choose from a wide range of options to find the one that best suits your needs. Your project deserves expert guidance.
