Types of Houses: Top 10 Types You Should Know

Are you looking for investment opportunities in real estate properties in Nigeria?

Before you build or buy a house in Nigeria, understanding the different types of houses will help you make an informed decision before you invest your money. From bungalows to luxury mansions, the type of house you choose will depend on these three factors such as budget, location, and lifestyle.

In this blog post, I will walk you through the top 10 house types you will commonly find in Nigeria, its features, pros and cons, estimated cost, and trends.

This will help help you align your housing investment goals with the right property choice.

Common Types of Houses in Nigeria

1. Duplexes

A duplex is a two-story building with a ground floor and upper floor. It has a larger living space compared to a bungalow, making it an ideal home for larger families. Its average cost is about 60-80 million naira, depending on location and size.

Pros

• Enough space for larger families or individuals who prefer more rooms.
• It has more privacy because you have bedrooms on the upper floor.
• It can be an excellent investment in rapidly developing areas as it offers good rental yields.

Cons

• It is more expensive to build and maintain compared to a bungalow.
• It is not suitable for elderly individuals because of the staircase.

2. Bungalows

A bungalow is a type of house that consist of a single-story building and is most popular in Nigeria, especially in rural and suburban areas. It has a straightforward design which makes it easy to build and maintain. Its average cost is about 20-60 million naira and suitable for those looking for budget-friendly homes to build.

Pros

• It is more affordable to build because of its simple design.
• Easier to maintain compared to multi-story types of houses.

Cons

• It may not be suitable for larger families who needs extra rooms
• It has limited space.

3. Terrace Duplex- Town Houses

A terrace duplex are multi-story buildings that are built in rows, which share side walls with neighboring houses. Each unit is a mirror image of the next unit, with only the corner piece units offering more space. It is highly popular in urban areas like Lekki Lagos, Abuja, and port Harcourt. A good example of a terrace duplex is that of pentagon court phase 5 Annex 2, a high-end real estate development by Facibushousing.

On the average, It cost about 50-90 million naira.

Pros

• It is more affordable than fully detached homes.
• It requires less land, making it easier to build more units.

Cons

• It has limited privacy due to its shared walls.
• It has smaller outdoor space compared to fully detached houses.

4. Semi-Detached Duplex

A semi-detached duplex is a type of house similar to a terrace duplex but only shares a wall with only one other unit, providing more space and privacy.

It is common in neighborhoods like Ikoyi, Lekki, and Gwarinpa. It appreciates well in value for those looking to invest.

Pros

• It has more privacy compared to a terrace duplex.
• It has more outdoor space and often comes with a garden.

Cons

• It is more expensive than a terrace duplex.
• It has less privacy compared to a fully detached duplex.

5. Fully Detached Duplex

Fully detached duplex are types of houses that have independent structures and do share walls with any other building. It has its own compound which makes privacy exclusive. It cost about 200-300 million naira.

It is very popular in high income areas like Magodo, Banana island, and Asokoro in Abuja. If you are concerned about maximum privacy and space, a fully detached duplex is what you need to invest in.

Pros

• Maximum space and privacy.
• It comes with special features like swimming pool, family garden, and ample parking space.

Cons

• High cost of building materials and maintenance.
• It requires large plot of land.

6. Mansions

Mansions are luxurious houses with large and extensive rooms built on very large plots of land. It is the perfect definition of luxury living.

Such buildings are seen in high-end areas like Banana island, Lekki, Maitama, and Asokoro. It cost about 300-500 million naira.

Pros

• Maximum space.
• It comes with luxury amenities like swimming pools, basket ball courts, and home cinemas.

Cons

• Its expensive to build and maintain.

7. Apartments/Condos

An apartment is typically made up of a sitting room, bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom.

Pros

• Its an affordable option for small families.
• Low maintenance and easy to manage.

Cons

• Limited space and privacy.

8. MaisonetTes

A maisonette is a duplex within a larger building and spans across two floors. They have more space than regular apartments. It cost about 25-50 million to construct.

Pros

• It has more space compared to a detached homes and apartments
• It comes with luxury features like balconies

Cons

• High cost compared to detached homes.

9. Traditional Houses

This type of house is common in rural areas and made up of naturally sourced materials like clay, mud, and thatched roofs. It cost about 500-800k to build.

Pros

• It is cheaper to construct.
• The materials are locally sourced.

Cons

• It is not durable in the long term.

10. PentHouse

A penthouse is a type of luxury house situated on the top floor of high-rise buildings with stunning views. It cost about 90 million and above to build.

Pros

• It has amazing views from the top floor.

Cons

• It is very expensive.

Comparison Table: Types of Houses in Nigeria

Types of Houses	Cost Range	Privacy	Space	Suitable For	Popular Locations
Duplex	60-80 million	High	High	Large families	Urban centers
Bungalow	20-60 million	Medium	Low	Small families	Iyana Ipaja, Igando
Terrace Duplex	50-90 million	Medium	Medium	Young professionals	Lekki, Lagos Island
Semi-Detached Duplex	120-150 million	High	High	Small families	Ikoyi, Lekki
Fully Detached Duplex	200-300 million	High	High	Luxury buyers	Banana island, Asokoro
Mansions	300-500 million	Very high	Very high	High income earners	IKoyi, Maitama
Apartments/Condos	10-20 million	Low	Low	Singles	Lagos, Abuja
Maisonettes	25-50 million	Medium	Medium	Professionals	High rise buildings
Traditional Houses	500-800k	Low	Low	Rural dwellers	Rural villages
Penthouse	90 million and above	Very high	High	Luxury buyers	Victoria island, Abuja

Conclusion

Whatever your housing option may be, understanding the types of houses available in Nigeria can help you plan your budget accordingly. Each house type offers unique advantages, and making the right choice depends on your needs, location, and financial situation.

Be sure to consider factors like privacy, cost, and maintenance before you buy or build a house.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the different types of houses in Nigeria?

A: The different types of houses in Nigeria are Bungalows, Duplex, Terrace Duplex, Semi-detached duplex, Fully detached duplex, Apartments/condos, Traditional houses, Maisonettes, Mansions, and Penthouses.

Q: What is the most popular type of house in Nigeria?

A: Bungalow Houses. They are the most popular types of house you will find in Nigeria, because they are easy to build and maintain.