House, Townhouse, or Condo – Which is Best for You?
For some, a single family home is the only thing that pops in their mind when they think of home ownership and this makes perfect sense BUT there are other options. Depending on your situation a Condo or townhome may be the best option for you. In fact I bet there are a number of people that like the idea of not having to deal with regular maintenance and mow the yard every week!
There is no right or wrong answer when you are choosing the type of home you are looking to purchase but rather what works best for you in your individual situation. We will go over just some of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of home.
To start off, the single family home besides being the flagship of the American Dream has many advantages but also has just as many disadvantages:
Advantages
- You will have access to your own yard
- Single family homes are typically larger
- Single family homes have more storage, including a basement, attic, and garage
- It is easier to obtain financing compared to a condo
- Less rules such as animal sizes, parking situations, and exterior requirements
Disadvantages
- Any maintenance issues including repairs, landscaping, and snow removal is your responsibility
- Single family homes are typically more expensive than condos and townhouses
- Utility bills are usually considerably higher due to the larger size
- Homes may still have an Home Owners Association as aggressive as one of its townhouse or Condo counterparts
The townhouse is referred to the type of construction for a building that is 100% owned to include the property it sits on while sharing one or more walls with the adjacent building. By owning the land the building sits on, no ownership can happen above or below unlike a condo. The advantages and disadvantages to living in a townhouse are as follows:
Advantages
- Lower utilities
- Much of the exterior maintenance including yard, landscaping and exterior paint is included
- Typically has common areas such as parks and even pools with club houses that can be utilized with no up keep of your own
- Enter Directly into the unit from the outside with a garage and patio with back yard
- Lower home owners insurance due to the HOA being responsible for the exterior
Disadvantages
- Typically higher HOA fees
- Sometimes difficult to qualify for financing depending on additional fees which are included during the qualifying process
- A lot of restrictions including pets such as animal breed and size
- May have more renters in the community
- Could have sound issues
Last but not least would be a condo, the “simplest” of living. The condo is somewhat very beneficial to some but may not be for everyone.
Advantages
- Little to no maintenance
- Usually secure with both cameras or an onsite security guard
- Typically attached parking garage with assigned spots
- Fees can include water, sewer, garbage and outside maintenance
- Most have conference rooms, gyms, pools and even tennis courts
Disadvantages
- Privacy at times seems difficult with many units in one building sharing hallways, elevators and other common areas
- Could have sound issues
- No attached garage
- Less storage
- Typically if the building hasn’t been managed properly it takes many years of good management to turn around which can greatly affect your resale value
- Also may have high HOA fees
Any of these types of homes have pros and cons to consider but shouldn’t be too difficult of a decision based on what you are looking for and the lifestyle you enjoy. The condo is the most worry free option that enables you to pack a bag and travel with the ease of locking the door behind you, no lawn to take care of and little up keep is necessary. The single family home is the epitome of upkeep and cost but for some they wouldn’t have it any other way.
We hope this has helped you determine the best type of home for you. If you are looking to buy or rent in Florida make sure to check out www.MoversAtlas.com to research valuable information about your potential new home and the surrounding neighborhood and community.