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Senior here, late 60s, solo, still working, regular gymgoer (average, not a fanatic). Just moved (renting) from a condo with 2 floors to one of similar sf on one floor in a garden building with a passenger elevator. Each situation had/has pros and cons, but I do NOT miss stairs and I do not plan to buy anything in the future with stairs (except, perhaps, a flight to the basement if I have to, but laundry needs to be on main floor). I never thought I'd say that, but it's true. I visited my parents often in FL and they lived in several homes over 25 years, all one-level. In my late 50s it wasn't an issue. In my late 60s and looking ahead it is.
You probably need someone with a degree to help you. That's too complicated for us Realtor simpletons to figure out. Wait, I do have a degree! Let me give this a shot.
The answer, of course, is it depends on the buyer. People will have different preferences based on needs. Also location would matter in valuations as well.
That is one factor among many. Is the other one in a multi unit building where you have someone above (or below) you? What are all the other factors? And don't say they are all the same because that is just a way to ignore many other factors that are important.
In general single family homes are more desirable followed by duplexes (only one common wall) followed by town house (two common walls) followed by multistory where you can have multiple common walls. But that is all only one factor to consider.
And yes I have seen duplexes that are single floor, not real common, but not unicorns either.
It depends on the buyer and depends on the area. In places where that is typical, it will not be seen as a negative as much. In other areas, it would be.
We had a duplex (condo) that was just as you described. 2 bedroom / 2.5 bath, both bedrooms and full baths upstairs. Half bath and all living areas downstairs. Had an attached 2-car garage. Older folks who were downsizing didn't like the bedrooms upstairs. Younger folks who were buying their first home, loved that the bedrooms were upstairs. We sold it with no problem and for full price. The buyer was a young, single professional.
We are ages 72/63 and live in a side-by-duplex.
Bedrooms upstairs which are fine with us.
Average price for a duplex side in our neighborhood is $950K+.
Not condominium form of ownership, but fee simple with a party wall agreement.
The one with the bedrooms upstairs will consistently sell for an additional $13,989.
The real answer is there is no answer. We can discuss the pros and cons of living in single story versus multi story. People can share their experiences, insights, and preference. But you won't get the answer you seek because it doesn't exist. There are thousands of variables, personal preference, etc to be accounted for. It's impossible to distill that down to a single variable.
OP, while I agree that there are too many factors to answer generically, but one thing to consider is the overall makeup of the complex and surrounding community. If it's a 2+ story unit in an area that has a lot of retirees, then that might work against you. However, if it's a 2+ story unit that's primarily young families, then it may be a positive (all the more so that multiple stories tends to add square footage on paper that may sway younger families that don't understand the difference).
The duplex only has one shared wall, which is a plus. Other than that, you are going to have to provide two condo units to compare because generalizations aren't working well for your questions.
The one with the most square footage with the best floorplan is going to feel more spacious.
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