A townhouse is a multi-story home that’s owned by individuals and is attached to at least one other similar unit. This type of hybrid dwelling combines features of a single-family home with a condominium — having some of the benefits and challenges of each. It’s also sometimes called a townhome or a row home or house.
Differences Between Townhomes and Condos
Differences between a detached home and a townhouse may be clearer than differences between a townhouse and a condo. After all, a home is a freestanding structure while a townhouse, like a condo, is part of a complex.
So, how is a townhouse different from a condo? Well, for one thing, although townhouses would share walls with units that are right next to theirs, there wouldn’t be a dwelling above them or below, as could be the case with a condo.
Typically, people who own a condo are responsible for the interior of their units, while funds that they pay into their homeowners’ association (HOA) are used to maintain shared areas and the outside of the building.
Townhouse owners, though, are usually responsible for maintaining the inside and outside alike, which is more like owning a home.
Because townhouse owners are usually responsible for more maintenance than condo owners, their HOA fees are often smaller and they typically have more freedom on how to renovate their dwellings. Neither of these is universally true, though, so it’s important to check the specifics of the property of interest.
Potential townhouse owners may be asking themselves, “Is buying a townhouse a good investment? What are the pros and cons?”
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of buying a townhouse, along with insights into getting a mortgage loan.
Pros of Buying a Townhouse
Having control over the inside and outside of a townhouse might make it more appealing than the purchase of a condominium. Townhome owners might appreciate how they have more ability to make decisions about their property.
Additional benefits of buying a townhouse include:
More Affordable
A townhouse can be an affordable option in communities with higher home prices, providing a space-savvy housing choice in places where available land can be scarce. Although townhouses may be more expensive than a condominium in a community of choice, they tend to be less expensive than a detached home.
Less Maintenance
Townhouses may be appealing to those that are busy; there’s no big yard that needs time and attention and, if owners travel for work and/or pleasure, security services that may be covered by HOA fees can help to protect the dwelling without any extra steps needed — and the complex may even be gated for added security.
Amenities
There may be great shared spaces and amenities for families to enjoy. These can include gyms and pools, and people who own units each have an ownership interest in these common-area benefits — which means they have a legal right to use them.
You Own the Land
Buyers of a townhouse will actually own the land where the property exists. In contrast, the condo owner would only own their unit, not any of the land. This means that someone owning a townhouse is typically less restricted on how the land could be used, perhaps being allowed to grill dinner outdoors, as just one example.
Pay Less in Property Taxes
Owners of a townhouse usually pay less in property taxes when compared to a stand-alone home. This is typically true because of the smaller lot size.
Townhomes could be ideal for first-time homebuyers who are looking for a more affordable option in densely populated areas. It can also be a good choice for people who aren’t interested in doing much home maintenance.
Cons of Buying a Townhouse
Townhomes may not be ideal for everyone. If you don’t want to share walls with another family, for example, a townhouse may be eliminated.
Other potential downsides of buying a townhouse include:
Limited Lot Size
The limited lot sizes that make it easy to minimize maintenance also means that townhouse owners don’t have the benefits that come with a larger yard, whether that means hosting larger picnics, setting up a swing set for the kids, or creatively landscaping the space.
Less Privacy
Townhouses are less private than single-family homes. While there are no units above or below, as there would be with a condominium, walls are shared and backyards are fairly small. This may be problematic if young children living in the townhouse want to run around and play.
Potentially Many Stairs
Townhouses are built upward to maximize limited land, meaning a townhouse could be three or four stories with only a couple of rooms on each floor. This means stairs. Perhaps lots of stairs. And, if someone in the home has physical challenges or has just had surgery, as just two examples, this can make navigation of the townhouse challenging.
Less Appreciation
In general, the value of a townhouse does not appreciate as quickly as single-family homes. Because of this, it may not make sense to buy a townhouse if the idea is to invest in real estate, rather than simply having a desired place to live.
Recommended: Track the Value of Your Home and Real Estate
After reviewing the pros and cons, is buying a townhouse a good idea? Here’s one more consideration: financing the unit.
Financing a Townhouse
Seeking a mortgage loan for a townhouse is similar to one for a single-family home. That’s because, unlike a condo purchase, the buyer of a townhouse also owns the land beneath the dwelling.
When buying a townhouse, lenders will typically want to see a buyer’s monthly income and outstanding debt to determine their debt-to-income ratio and see how much of a mortgage they can afford.
If the townhouse has HOA fees, those would be included in the mortgage calculations. Just as with a single-family home, it can make sense to get preapproved for a dollar amount before townhouse shopping, save money for a down payment and closing costs, and so forth.
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