What Is the Definition of a Townhouse?
If you’ve outgrown the apartment lifestyle, but don’t feel ready yet to take on the demands of a full-out house, a townhouse might present the perfect option. When it comes to space, maintenance, and amenities, townhouses offer the best of both worlds. Typically two stories, townhouses are individually-owned, standalone residences that share one or two walls with any adjacent units.
Townhouses provide an ideal balance when it comes to comfort, community, and care. Many offer amenities, such as pools, clubhouses, or shared lawns between units, which will help you get to know the folks next-door. However, you also get features that offer a sense of privacy, such as individual entrances to each unit. And, while the majority of a townhouse’s interior maintenance will fall on you, there’s more freedom to adorn your home in any way you choose.
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What Is the Difference Between a Condo and a Townhouse?
Ask a realtor about the difference between a condo and a townhouse, and they will likely emphasize one point in particular: ownership. Condo owners only own the interior space of their home, sharing the ownership of their building’s exterior and its land with their fellow residents. In contrast, townhouse owners claim the rights to the entirety of their construction, including the land it is on.
Legal distinctions aside, the more tangible differences between the two relate to space and cost. Compared to condos, townhouses come with substantially more space to spread out. Whether you want the leeway to entertain guests, or closets sizable enough to store your shoe collection, a townhouse will give you that extra square footage. But, the extra legroom also comes at a cost — literally. Townhouses don’t just carry a higher price tag than condos when it comes to rental or purchasing cost alone. With a bigger space, you should also expect a higher utility bill than you would receive when living in a condo. Both condo and townhouse owners pay homeowners associations (HOAs) fees, community upkeep organizations which require you to pay monthly fees. However, unlike most of the other costs, townhouse residents often benefit from cheaper HOA payments due to sharing less space and fewer amenities within their community.
What Is a Townhouse Vs. a Duplex?
While a row of townhouses can contain anywhere from three to five individual units, a duplex, as the name indicates, consists of only two connected homes. In a townhouse, you could end up sharing multiple walls with your neighbors, depending on the layout of your building. But, a duplex bestows a bit more privacy and less intense noise levels because the two units only share a single wall. Duplexes also tend to be a bit larger than the average townhouse, in terms of both interior and exterior space.
Nevertheless, there are other ways in which townhouses have an advantage over duplexes. Townhouses typically cost less than duplexes, making them the more affordable choice for first-time buyers or renters looking to upgrade their pad. And, while the level of the maintenance provided for owners varies across townhouse complexes, there’s a good chance you will receive some degree of property assistance. Depending on the spot, everything from mowing lawns, to pruning trees, to salting walkways may be taken care of in a townhouse development. In a duplex, these tasks would fall on you. So, while the HOA fees that often come with a townhouse may feel excessive, they at least guarantee you won’t need to shovel your driveway after a snowstorm. Not to mention, townhouses usually carry the extra perk of shared community amenities, such as a fitness center or grilling area.
Is It Worth Buying a Townhouse?
As with any kind of residential property, multiple considerations come into play when deciding whether or not to buy a townhouse. Some are obvious, such as the building’s location or floor-plan, others, such as market demand and financing options, may be out of your control.
When it comes to the pros of picking a townhouse, cost would rank high on the list. Depending on the locale, a townhouse can cost significantly less than a typical single-family home. As a smaller, more manageable version of the usual standalone home, it makes an especially good option for anyone looking to settle down in a specific area without needing an excess of space, such as young professionals, newlyweds, or empty nesters looking to downsize. Another benefit of buying a townhouse is that, like a standard home, it can be financed by a mortgage or a government-backed loan. And, as we previously mentioned, the amenities, ground maintenance, and sense of community offered by many of these complexes appeals to many buyers.
On the other hand, it is also important to weigh the potential cons of townhouse living. A big question you’ll want to ask yourself is “how much do I value privacy?” Owning a townhouse means sharing walls and, in some cases, outdoor space with multiple neighbors. If you’re a self-described introvert, or a light sleeper, you could resent the constant exposure to other people’s lives and noise. For those with mobility issues, the stairs in a townhouse’s stereotypical, multiple-level design could present a huge challenge. Then, finally, there’s that potential HOA requirement, which not only comes with monthly fees, but also strict guidelines that you must follow.
Should I Rent a Townhouse or an Apartment?
While a townhouse is a good match for those looking to plant roots, an apartment is a prime pick for an individual on the complete opposite side of the spectrum: the type of person who is always on the move. An apartment is possibly the easiest, and best, solution for anyone looking to simply rent. First of all, there’s the price point — overall, an apartment is usually the most cost-effective housing option out there. Since an apartment building is owned by a single institution, you won’t need to worry about any of those pesky HOA fees or regulations. Additionally, some utilities, such as trash and water, are often already included in the monthly rental cost of many apartments, which means less stress about multiple bills. However, the most prominent advantage of living in an apartment would have to be the free maintenance. In a townhouse, you’re typically responsible for any interior-related disasters that may occur (unless, of course, you rent your townhouse). But, in an apartment, you can simply call the building’s management, and they will come deal with that leaky faucet or broken HVAC at no cost to you.
Nevertheless, there are also some advantages a townhouse can provide that an apartment cannot. Mainly, a degree of freedom in crafting your space (especially if you own it yourself). Since apartment renters remain subject to the rules of the management company, restrictions in how much you can customize your unit will limit your decor choices. And, pet parents might want to check twice before signing a lease for an apartment because of the additional fees for Fido, or regulations about the kinds of furry friends allowed to live in the building. Last but not least, there’s the obvious size difference between townhouses and apartments. Apartments are smaller, and commonly lack the personal, outdoor green space you get with a townhouse.
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Looking to Rent a Townhouse (or Apartment)?
Did you know that some apartment complexes offer townhouses for rent? If you would rather rent than buy a townhouse, AptAmigo knows how to make that happen. Let us connect you with the right locations for your townhouse.
Or, did you decide to stay in an apartment, after all. No problem. We work with the best luxury buildings out there and would love the opportunity to make your apartment dreams come true. Reach out to connect with one of our expert Apartment Locators today.
