Bungalow vs. Two-Storey: Which Has Better Resale Value in Durham?

Bungalow versus two-storey is one of the most common questions we get from both buyers and sellers in Durham Region. Buyers want to know which style appreciates better. Sellers want to know how to position their home to maximize value. The answer depends on where you are, who your buyer is, and what the market is doing.

Here is the data and the context you need to make a smart decision.

In Durham Region, bungalows consistently command a higher price per square foot than two-storey homes. This seems counterintuitive because bungalows are typically smaller in total square footage. The reason is simple: demand outstrips supply. Bungalows represent a shrinking share of new construction because builders can put more sellable square footage on the same lot footprint with a two-storey design.

The result is that well-maintained bungalows, especially in established neighbourhoods, attract intense competition from two buyer groups: aging homeowners who need single-floor living, and investors who see the lot value and the potential for additions or rebuilds.

While bungalows have a higher price per square foot, two-storey homes often sell for a higher total price because they offer more total living space. A 2,400-square-foot two-storey will generally sell for more than a 1,200-square-foot bungalow on a similar lot, even if the bungalow's per-square-foot price is higher.

For sellers, this means the best metric depends on what you are selling. If you own a bungalow on a large lot in a desirable neighbourhood, your buyer pool may include both end users and builders. If you own a two-storey, your buyer pool is primarily families who need the space.

In Durham Region, bungalows hold the strongest premiums in mature neighbourhoods with large lots. Areas like south Oshawa, central Whitby, south Ajax, and older parts of Pickering have bungalows on 50-to-60-foot lots or wider that attract significant interest. In some cases, the lot itself is worth as much as the structure.

Bungalows also perform well in areas where the aging population is concentrated. As more baby boomers seek single-floor living, demand for bungalows in established neighbourhoods continues to climb. This demographic trend is not slowing down.

Two-storey homes perform best in newer subdivisions where the lot sizes are smaller and the buyer pool is predominantly young families. In these areas, the extra square footage of a two-storey is the primary value driver, and the per-square-foot premium for bungalows is less pronounced because there are fewer bungalows to compare against.

North Oshawa, Brooklin, north Whitby, and the newer parts of Bowmanville and Courtice are all areas where two-storey homes dominate the inventory and perform well on resale.

If you are buying: a bungalow in an established neighbourhood is likely to appreciate at a rate that equals or exceeds two-storey homes, particularly as the aging population drives demand. If you are buying for space and your budget is tight, a two-storey in a newer subdivision gives you more home for the money.

If you are selling: know your buyer. A bungalow seller should emphasize single-floor living, lot size, and location. A two-storey seller should emphasize square footage, layout, and family-friendliness. Both can benefit from strategic pre-sale preparation, but the target buyer and the marketing message should be different. Call us if you want to talk through the positioning for your specific home.