Spanish real estate terminology explained for property buyers in the Costa Blanca

A QUAD VILLA or a quad house is a type of cluster housing, often referred to as "a quad". Simply put, a quad villa is one of four individual freehold properties built on a plot of land, and arranged in a square with each property occupying one corner of the square.

Each quad villa is attached to its neighbours on two sides, similar to a townhouse or terraced property. All quad villas have an independent main entrance door and a private garden, and they are independent homes in their own right.

Many older quad designs also enjoy the benefit of a private courtyard or terrace located in the centre of the square plot. Some properties also feature a roof terrace or solarium, often accessed via an external staircase from the courtyard or the garden.

It's not unusual to find essential appliances such as the hot water cylinder or the laundry facilities installed in a lockable weatherproof housing beneath this staircase.

The advantages of a quad villa

The main benefit of a quad villa is space. Quads typically offer spacious accommodation comparable with the size of a modest detached property, at a price that provides good value.

The large central living area and open-plan kitchen offer a flexible space that can be adapted according to individual tastes. Furnishings can be oriented to face different ways, and dining spaces can be included or excluded.

It's not unusual for homeowners to utilise a spare bedroom as a formal dining room or home workspace, and usually, all rooms are accessed via the main living area.

In some cases, property owners will remove a non-structural wall to sacrifice a bedroom in exchange for a more spacious and open living area. Independent or separate kitchens are not unheard of but are rare to find.

The good news continues outside too, as the majority of quad houses benefit from a corner garden that occupies two sides of the property. This essential outside area provides plenty of space for a terrace or garden.

Quad houses offer more space for less money

Corner gardens offer two different geographic orientations, so even a north-facing garden will have either a west or east-facing segment, guaranteeing direct sunshine in the mornings or evenings all year round.

The efficient use of the enclosed plot often means there is room for private gated off-road parking or the installation of a modest private swimming pool, without compromising personal space or access.

Quad villas can be either single-storey properties with accommodation across a single floor or towering homes offering accommodation over two storeys plus a roof terrace on the second floor.

Quads are located in residential communities and benefit from access to community facilities with costs shared between community owners.

Most communities in Orihuela Costa offer far larger swimming pools than you would find in all but the most expensive detached villas, with the shared community costs significantly lower than tending to a small private pool in a detached home.

The disadvantages of a quad villa

Compared with a detached property, a quad villa is likely to offer less acoustic insulation against other properties that share a party wall.

As a result, noise from neighbours should be expected to be more prevalent and noticeable in a quad villa. However, there are some clever design techniques that many builders employ to reduce sound transmission between homes.

These include joining properties with the kitchens back to back. A kitchen isn't typically somewhere in the home where peace and serenity are paramount for most people, so connecting properties via the kitchen allows other parts of the home to remain further away from any potential noise pollution.

Similarly, joining properties via bedrooms other than the master bedroom, or attaching properties via bathrooms is another method builders and property designers might utilise to reduce unwanted sound transmission.

Many quad homeowners keep wardrobes installed against party walls stuffed full of bedding and clothes, or even add sheets of acoustic insulation inside the wardrobe to further mitigate noise from neighbouring properties.

Quad villas in Orihuela Costa and Costa Blanca

In short, quad villas offer adaptable and spacious accommodation for less money than a detached villa.

They offer excellent value and they're a popular choice for Spanish property buyers who don't want an apartment, but perhaps can't quite stretch their budget to a detached property.

With more available space and all the pocket-friendly benefits of living in a community, quad houses in the South Costa Blanca are more affordable and always in demand.

We have a selection of beautiful quad villas for sale in popular locations such as La Zenia, Lomas de Cabo Roig, Playa Flamenca, and Los Altos, including six exclusive properties. Click here to view our portfolio of quad houses now.