If this is your first time looking for Scarborough real estate, you will quickly find that there are more types of living spaces than you can shake a stick at. Condos, freehold condos, detached homes, semi detached homes, duplexes, row houses, lofts, apartments, the list goes on and on. Even once you've decided that you want a loft, there is still a decision to be made regarding whether you want a hard loft or a soft loft. We can teach you the difference and give you the pros and cons of each type so you can make an informed decision.

All lofts share some common features that distinguish them from other types of real estate, such as Richmond, Virginia houses for sale or regular apartments. These features are high ceilings and large windows, which naturally lend themselves to the name loft. Therefore, both condos and apartments can be considered lofts. Lofts were once very popular with artists because they were tiny and affordable, often featuring a bedroom that was merely a platform underneath the high ceiling. Today lofts are among the most expensive type of real estate.

Lofts were originally created by converting old industrial spaces into residential Arlington real estate. This is where the wide windows and the high ceilings would come from. Today, these types of lofts are known as loft conversions or hard lofts. They keep a lot of the original features of the warehouse they once were, such as the concrete floors, brick walls, and many-paned factory windows, with the additions, such as plumbing, heating and wiring, often left exposed instead of hidden behind a secondary wall.

Sometimes hard lofts will be re-created by developers who are building new, but more often the Toronto lofts that result from new construction are more refined, and are known as soft lofts. While they still have the high ceilings and the large windows, the wiring and heating ducts will be hidden behind plaster or drywall. The floors will be laid with hardwood or carpeting, and the whole living space will have a softer feel. This type of construction is most common in the condo loft.

Each type of loft has its advantages and disadvantages, so take the opportunity to look at a few examples of each when you're browsing for Toronto lofts for sale. Hard lofts are general cheaper, have more character and historic value, and are suitable for both living and working but are more expensive to heat and often located in industrial neighborhoods. Soft lofts, meanwhile are much more expensive. However they're usually located in trendy areas, are more comfortable and appealing, and come in buildings with common condo amenities like a gym or pool.