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How to choose your property

House, apartment, villa, pavilion... What type of property should you buy? It all depends on your objective: do you want to occupy it as a primary or secondary residence? Alone, as a couple, with your family? We go through the possibilities, according to your priorities.

When you buy a home, your lifestyle and your family situation are the main factors that determine your choice. This is why we present here the different opportunities available to you based on these main criteria.

The apartment, or proximity to amenities

Generally located in the city, the apartment is mainly suitable for those who wish to benefit from the proximity of many amenities: shops and services essential to daily life, cultural and sports facilities, schools... Your apartment will also be easily accessible because it is close to roads leading to other urban centers, a train station or even an airport.

Some seniors also appreciate the feeling of security that living in an apartment provides: in the heart of a building complex composed of several units, they will feel less isolated and less vulnerable than in a house, especially when the condominium has a janitor. And this without suffering from the nuisances that this relative proximity to the neighbors can sometimes cause, since luxury buildings often have few apartments, and their thermal and acoustic insulation is very effective.

Finally, this type of housing is available in different sizes to meet the needs of the single person, the couple or a family with children.

The house, an open door on a green space

Although some prestigious apartments are equipped with one or more spacious, well-oriented terraces, some people prefer to opt for a two-, three- or four-front house with a garden. A private green space that they can enjoy in complete discretion.

In general, the house houses only one family, even though it usually has several floors. Note: in some cases, this configuration allows the house to be divided into apartments and transformed into an investment property: buying a house can thus be an investment if you rent out these multiple units.

Another advantage of the house: as your professional and family life evolves, you will be totally free to change the destination of the rooms that make it up, create new spaces, add an annex... You can, for example, set up an office for your profession, a gym or a music room, a sauna, transform a room into a dressing room, a home cinema, a workshop...

This type of comfortable and warm home can be found in most residential areas of Belgian cities.

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The 4-front pavilion

It is in the suburbs of large cities that you will have to go to find the ideal four-front house, which will then be called a pavilion. More isolated, less accessible, farther from shops and services, it nevertheless offers the precious advantage of a quiet environment halfway between the countryside and the urban center.

The pavilion also has the charm of an architecture that blends harmoniously into the landscape, made of local materials.

The prestige of the villa
Several points radically distinguish the villa from the house: its location, its size and its design. The villa is located in a resort area, in the countryside or by the sea, and often benefits from a breathtaking view. Its large garden or green park can accommodate a swimming pool, tennis court as well as outbuildings or annexes to house staff or guests.

Large surface area, imposing volumes and a large number of rooms characterize this home designed by an architect according to the wishes of the owner. Modern, uncluttered, cosy, original or even extravagant, it displays a style that reflects the personality of the client, while bearing the specific signature of the person who designed it. This is why the villa is also called an 'architect's house'.

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As you can see, each type of housing corresponds to different aspirations. Determining them precisely and discussing them with a real estate advisor who listens to your needs will allow you to make the right choice.

Cover photo by Thomas Somme on Unsplash

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