What Is A Garden Home?

 

What Is A Garden Home? (And Why My Auntie Susan Loves Hers)

Last month, I was helping my Auntie Susan to pack her boxes. She lived in a very big house for thirty years, but now, her knees is hurting and the big grass lawn was too much work for her. She told me, "I am moving to a garden home."

I looked at her and scratched my head. "What is a garden home?" I asked. "Is it a house made of flowers? Do you have to be a farmer?"

She laughed at me. "No, silly. It is a house for people who wants to relax."

That conversation made me very curious. So, I did a lot of reading and visited her new place to understand. If you are also confused or maybe you are thinking about moving to a smaller place, this blog post is for you. I will explain everything I learned about what is a garden home, using simple words because I am not a real estate expert, just a person who likes to learn things.

The Simple Definition: What Exactly Is It?

To be honest, the name "garden home" is a little bit tricky. When you hear it, you might think of a big house in the middle of a huge park with vegetables everywhere. But actually, it is almost the opposite!

A garden home is usually a small, detached house (this means it stands alone, not touching other houses) that is built on a very small piece of land. In the real estate world, sometimes they call this a "zero-lot-line" home.

I know, "zero-lot-line" sounds like a math problem. But it just means that the house is built very close to the edge of the property line. Sometimes, the house is even right on the line! Because the house takes up most of the space on the land, there is not much leftover for a giant yard.

Instead of a big, grassy field that takes three hours to mow, a garden home has a small, private outdoor space. This could be a patio, a courtyard, or a tiny strip of green grass. It is just enough space to have a cup of coffee outside or plant a few pretty flowers, but not enough to make you tired from working on it all weekend.

So, the "garden" in the name does not mean a farm. It refers to the small, cozy garden area that connects the indoors to the outdoors. It is very popular in places like Texas or Florida, but you can find them everywhere now.

Why Is It Different From a Townhouse or Condo?

This was the part that confused me the most. I asked my Auntie, "Why didn't you just buy a condo or a townhouse?"

She explained it to me like this, and I think it makes sense.

1. You Own the Dirt

When you buy a condo, you usually only own the inside of your apartment. You do not own the land underneath it. It is like owning a box in the sky.

But with a garden home, you actually own the land. Even if it is a small piece of land, it is yours. You own the ground the house sits on. This is important for people who wants to feel like a real homeowner but without the hassle.

2. No Shared Walls (Usually)

Townhouses are nice, but they are usually stuck together in a row. You share a wall with your neighbor on the left and the right. If your neighbor likes to play loud drums at midnight, you might hear it.

Most garden homes are detached. This means they do not touch the other house. There is a little bit of space between you and the neighbor. Sometimes garden homes can be "semi-detached" (sharing one wall), but many of them are separate single-family homes. This gives you more privacy than an apartment or townhouse.

3. One Story Living

This is a big one. Townhouses are often tall and skinny, with lots of stairs. Garden homes are usually one story (or sometimes one-and-a-half stories). This design is very good for people who does not like climbing stairs, like my Auntie with her bad knees. The floor plan is open and easy to walk around in.

The Famous "Lock and Leave" Lifestyle

While I was reading about what is a garden home, I saw a phrase pop up many times: "Lock and Leave."

At first, I thought this meant the neighborhood is dangerous so you have to lock your door! But no, it is actually a good thing.

Because the yard is so small, and because these homes are usually in a community with a Homeowners Association (HOA), you don't have to worry about maintenance. The HOA is a group that manages the neighborhood. In most garden home communities, you pay a monthly fee, and the HOA takes care of the lawn mowing, the landscaping, and sometimes even the exterior repairs of the house.

This is why they call it "Lock and Leave." You can lock your front door and go on a vacation to Paris or go visit your grandkids for a month. You don't have to worry that your grass will grow ten feet tall or that the weeds will take over. The HOA handles it.

My Auntie Susan loves this. She wants to travel to see the ocean, and she doesn't want to pay a neighborhood kid to cut the grass while she is gone. For her, this freedom is worth every penny.

Who Is A Garden Home Good For?

I was thinking, is this house only for grandmas? Actually, no. It seems like many different types of people likes these homes.

The Retirees and Empty Nesters

This is the most common group. "Empty nesters" are parents whose children have grown up and moved away. They have a big house with four bedrooms, but they only use one. They are tired of cleaning rooms nobody uses. A garden home is perfect for them because it is smaller ("downsizing") and easier to clean. Plus, the single-story layout is safer for aging.

The Busy Professionals

Imagine a young lawyer or doctor who works 60 hours a week. When they come home, they are exhausted. They do not want to spend Saturday morning pushing a lawnmower. They want to own a house, not rent an apartment, but they want the "lazy" lifestyle of an apartment. A garden home is a great answer. They get a garage for their car and a nice kitchen, but zero yard work.

The Travelers

Like I mentioned with the "Lock and Leave" idea, if you are a person who travels for work or fun a lot, this home is very safe and convenient.

Let's Talk About The "Garden" (The Outdoor Space)

Since the keyword is what is a garden home, we must talk about the garden!

In a normal house, you have a front yard and a back yard. In a garden home, the design is creative. Because the house is on the property line, the "side yard" usually becomes the main outdoor space.

Often, the house is shaped like an 'L' or a 'U' around a patio. This creates a courtyard. It feels very private, almost like a secret room that is outside.

You can put comfortable chairs there, maybe a grill for BBQ, and lots of potted plants. It is very cozy. My Auntie put a small fountain in hers. It sounds like a little river. Because the space is small, you can make it look very beautiful without spending a million dollars on landscaping.

However, if you have three big Golden Retriever dogs who loves to run and chase balls, this might be a problem. The yard is usually not big enough for playing catch. It is more for sitting and relaxing.

The Pros and Cons (The Good and The Bad)

Nothing is perfect in this world, right? Even garden homes have good things and bad things. I made a list for you to see.

The Good Stuff (Pros)

1. Low Maintenance: I said this already, but it is the best part. No mowing! No weeding! The HOA does the dirty work.  
2. Community Feeling: Garden home neighborhoods are usually smaller. The houses are closer together, so you see your neighbors more. It is easy to make friends. My Auntie already knows the lady next door who bakes cookies.
3. Cheaper to Buy (Usually): Because the lot (the land) is small, the price is often lower than a big standard house in the same area.
4. Energy Efficient: Smaller houses cost less to heat in winter and cool in summer. This saves money on the electric bill.
5. Accessibility: No stairs is a blessing for anyone with a broken leg or tired knees.

The Not-So-Good Stuff (Cons)

1. The HOA Fees: This is the big catch. Because the HOA does the gardening and maintenance, they charge a fee. This fee can be expensive. Sometimes it is $200 or $300 a month! You have to decide if it is worth it.
2. Less Privacy: The houses are built very close together. Sometimes only 5 or 10 feet apart. If you are in your garden, your neighbor might be able to see you from their window. You can hear them if they are loud. If you hate people, this might be hard.
3. Not Much Storage: These homes are smaller. If you have 50 boxes of Christmas decorations, you might not have a place to put them. You have to learn to live with less "stuff."
4. Strict Rules: The HOA often has strict rules. They might say you cannot paint your door pink or you cannot park your truck in the driveway. You have to follow the rules of the community.

What Does It Look Like Inside?

I was surprised when I went inside my Auntie's new home. From the outside, it looked small. But inside, it felt huge!

Builders of garden homes are very smart. They use "open floor plans." This means the kitchen, the dining room, and the living room are all one big space without walls blocking the view.

They also use high ceilings and lots of big windows. The windows usually look out onto the private side garden. This brings in a lot of sunlight and makes the room feel bigger. It blurs the line between inside and outside.

Usually, there is a master bedroom (for the owner) and a second bedroom (for guests or an office). Sometimes there is a third small room, but rarely more than that. It is designed for one or two people to live comfortably, not for a family of ten.

Is A Garden Home Right For You?

So, now you know what is a garden home. But should you move to one?

I think you should ask yourself some questions. I asked myself these questions too, just for fun.

• Question 1: Do you enjoy cutting grass and raking leaves?
• If you say "Yes, I love nature work!", then maybe keep your big house.
• If you say "No, I hate the heat and the bugs," then a garden home is a good idea.
• Question 2: Do you have five kids and three big dogs?
• If yes, a garden home is probably too small. You will feel crowded.
• If it is just you, or you and your partner, and maybe a cat, it is perfect.
• Question 3: Can you handle being close to neighbors?
• If you need to be alone in the woods, do not buy a garden home.
• If you like waving to people and feeling safe in a group, you will like it.

A Little Advice on Buying One

If you decide to look for a garden home, please be careful about the "names."

Real estate agents use many names. They might call it a "patio home," a "courtyard home," a "villa," or a "cluster home." These are all very similar to a garden home.

But sometimes, they might show you a townhouse and call it a garden home. Remember the difference: ask if you own the land and if you share walls.

Also, always read the HOA rules. My friend almost bought a garden home, but then he read the rules and found out he was not allowed to park his motorcycle there. He was very sad, but glad he checked before buying. Ask about the monthly fees too. Ask, "What exactly does this money pay for?" It should pay for the lawn care, but sometimes it also pays for the roof or the painting of the house. It is good to know.

My Final Thoughts

Moving is always scary. It is a big change. When Auntie Susan left her big family home, she cried a little bit. It had memories. But now, she has lived in the garden home for two months, and she is so happy.

She told me yesterday, "I woke up on Saturday, drank my tea, and watched the landscapers cut the grass. I didn't lift a finger. It was wonderful."

That sounds pretty nice, doesn't it?

A garden home is not just a type of building. It is a way of living. It is choosing to have less work and more free time. It is choosing to have less space for "stuff" and more space for living.

I hope this post helps you understand what is a garden home. If you are looking for a simple life with a little patch of green and friendly neighbors, maybe this is the perfect home for you.

Thanks for reading my blog! I am just a beginner at writing, but I wanted to share this because it helped my family. If you have any questions, you can ask, and I will try to find the answer!

Good luck with your home search!