Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 4 Exam Practice

How would you best describe a house that looks like a detached home but has below-grade walls connected to another property?

1. Detached dwelling

2. Duplex

3. Semi-detached dwelling

4. Linked dwelling

5. Townhouse

6. Mansion

The correct answer is: Linked dwelling

The term "linked dwelling" appropriately describes a house that resembles a detached home above ground but has below-grade walls that connect to another property. This means that while the upper structure may appear to be a standalone residence, the connection at the lower level indicates that it shares a foundation or below-grade feature with a neighboring unit. This kind of structure often offers the appearance of independence typically associated with a detached home but fails to achieve full detachment at the basement level or other below-ground aspects. Such arrangements can affect aspects like property value and community living, as they integrate elements of connected living. In contrast, a detached dwelling signifies a home that stands completely alone without sharing any structural element with another property, which does not apply here. A duplex typically refers to a single building divided into two separate living units, while a semi-detached dwelling involves two homes sharing a common wall rather than having below-grade connections. Townhouses are often part of a row of similar homes and are distinctly different in their design and ownership. Lastly, a mansion is primarily a term used to describe the size and luxury of a home rather than its structural relationships with other properties.