At some point, we realize we wouldn’t want to pay for rent all our lives or live with our parents until we get old or married. One sign of independence is being able to build or buy your own home and fend for yourself. Our pressure clocks are different, so even if you’re yet at an age where your counterparts feel less urged to find stability but you do, you aren’t too much ahead and not even late if others around you are doing so.

If you start to crave the comfort of a home you can call your own, then perhaps it’s time that you work hard and save for it. Assess your financial capabilities. Is your current source of income or even your credit score able to sustain a home purchase? How does your dream home look? Are you more inclined to urban life, craving proximity to malls, entertainment, or work opportunities? Or perhaps you want an urban setting or countryside for all its peace and calm.

First-time home buyers have so many options it’s difficult to make decisions. After all, buying a home is a big deal. It means your future, so it doesn’t hurt being picky now and then. But how do you pick the right one?

Homes are categorized in different ways. A home is based on the building type, whether it sits on its land or a larger building that houses many residents. Another category is architectural styles such as carriage houses or even tree houses.

Here are the most preferred types of houses you can choose from.

Single-family Homes

This type of home sits on its land, and since it doesn’t share any parts with another unit, you can customize the house all you want. Single-family homes may work either for a nuclear family or a single person. They’re typically part of a residential community or homeowners association, so any changes may depend on existing homeowner’s association (HOA) laws and rules. Extra spaces allow for a basement, spare closets, and attic. Take note all these perks come at a higher price and maintenance costs.

Multifamily Homes

These homes are designed to be inhabited by several families or a group of people, such as an apartment with two or more divided dwellings. The owner usually lives in one unit and rents out the rest, helping the owner reduce the cost of their mortgage. If your family is multigenerational, multifamily homes are the best choice to live near family members while retaining privacy. Your family may just have to embrace having less privacy and the possibility of going through temporary vacancies.

Apartments

There are various perks on apartment living that appeal to both tenants and buyers. These include cheaper purchase costs, access to shared facilities such as a pool, easier maintenance, and advanced security. However, apartments may not be your best choice if you don’t want a limited space, noisy environment, lack of privacy and parking spaces near the apartment, and many restrictions and strata fees.

Condominiums

These are somehow similar to houses or apartments but with one striking difference-they’re defined by ownership. Like apartments and townhouses, residents share common spaces and amenities. Condominiums are mostly affordable, proximate to city life, require less maintenance, and have more security. If you decide to live in a condominium, be prepared for more rules, HOA fees, and lack of privacy.

New Construction Homes

If what you want most is customization, you can buy a brand-new home you can readily move in. But you can also purchase land and then hire a contractor to build you a home. This way, you can better manage the process to customize everything, from the size to the specific building materials. When all is brand new, you can ensure that your home meets the building codes and is more energy-efficient. But this type of home needs a much longer process before you can live in it.

Townhouses

Each unit of a multi-unit property is called a townhouse, usually consisting of floors, a garage, and a small yard. Residents usually share roofs and walls and access to amenities like gyms, pools, or dog-walking areas. You don’t worry about maintaining your home since you pay the HOA for that. You’ll own the land, too, particularly if your house comes with a yard. However, since you’re sharing spaces and amenities, you get more restrictions and less privacy.

In the end, choose the type of home where you can picture your future life. If your finances allow, select the type that checks all your must-haves in a home so that you won’t regret making the most significant investment in your life.