Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Why Townhomes Can Be A Smart Choice

By Devon Burbank


When certain people here the word "townhome", their mind instantly darts to ideas of a undesirable living space that puts the worst parts of HOAs and apartments together. But townhomes have an undeserved reputation. There are many notions about them in the public consciousness that are straight-up untrue. A townhome is a completely different entity from other types of housing.

A key differentiating factor between a condo and a townhome is the matter of land ownership. In buying a condo, the deal usually only includes four walls and the air inside. The land it rests on doesn't change hands. But in buying a townhome, the plot of land usually comes as part of the deal. Admittedly, it won't be the largest, most luxurious yard you'll ever see. But it's your yard, and with that claim to land ownership comes a large number of freedoms that aren't present on rental properties.

Of the reasons that some people choose to purchase a townhome over a full-size, single-family house, price is the most obvious and common. While a townhome is a smaller space than a full-size home, this has its draws for some people. Not everyone needs a lot of extra space, and some people would rather not have extra surfaces to clean. Additionally, the smaller scale of a townhome means some luxury features might be more reasonable when they don't have to cover a large area, such as luxury floors or countertops.

Of the things that often make people think twice about townhomes, Homeowner's Associations are probably the most common factors. While HOAs have a certain reputation, the benefits far outweigh the downsides. By paying a few dues, you gain access to a range of services. Usually, this covers most exterior maintenance on the home, including landscaping, roofing and siding, and snow removal. The advantages differ from community to community, so make sure you understand the local benefits, guidelines and rules in order to qualify.

Townhomes are usually built as a community. Often included with belonging to a community is owning a small part of the amenities that are part of the property. Most communities will include things like swimming pools, jungle gyms for the kids, exercise areas for adults, sporting areas for tennis and basketball and a clubhouse. If community members are willing to support it, and there is enough space on the property for something new, most communities have ways to add new amenities. When you buy a townhome, you also buy a piece of the community and all that's included in it.

Everyone has differing circumstances and requirements, but in many cases, a townhome can provide a very feasible option when someone does not want to buy a large home or rent an apartment. You might be surprised by the advantages of a townhome. Many people will testify to their value.




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