April 19th 2022

The first time you come across the term “twin home” in a home buying search, you might confuse it with other types of properties that share walls, like a duplex or a townhome. These types of properties look similar, but there are very important—and subtle—details that distinguish each from the others.

So what is a twin home? Here’s a helpful primer on how you can identify what a twin home is and isn’t.

What is a twin home?

A twin home—much like a duplex—shares a center wall and looks like two identical houses.

You own your house, someone else owns the other house, and there’s a communal wall that runs between them.  But in a twin home situation, the lot line runs down the middle of the house.

So the difference between a duplex and a townhome lies in the ownership of the lot: A twin home is two properties on two lots and a duplex is two properties on one lot.

A twin-home owner is responsible for the maintenance and insurance on their side of the lot.  You can paint your home a different color than the one on the other side, have a different roof color—whatever you want!

It’s not a duplex duplicate

A shared center wall and consistent style are essential characteristics of a twin home. Of course, those characteristics are also found in a duplex. So what makes a twin home different from a duplex?

A duplex is made up of two individual properties on one shared lot. Each side of the duplex may have a separate owner, but the owners must cooperate on landscaping, exterior maintenance, and more. A duplex is classified as a multifamily property, while a twin home is not.

It’s also not a townhouse

A twin home also differs from a townhouse: Although they both have different owners, townhouses are generally arranged in a row of identical houses that share walls on either side, except for the end units. Townhouse owners are usually allowed to maintain a small yard in the front or back of their home, but they also pay association dues covering the costs of maintenance.

Pros twin homes

There are certain upsides to buying a twin home; chief among them is the price tag. A twin home can be quite a bit less expensive than a single-family dwelling in the same neighborhood while providing a similar living experience.

You also have more independence from your next-door neighbors, and you don’t have to consult with them about the look and maintenance, as you would if you lived in a duplex or a townhouse. There’s also the security factor: It might be nice having someone close by especially if you travel or live alone.