Affordability and convenience play an important role in house hunting. Young professionals, seniors, and small families are looking for ideal living options without the burden of maintaining a typical family home. As modern life becomes more busy and chaotic, people are fed up with time-consuming chores, such as house repairs and garden maintenance. More than ever, people are desperately longing for fresh air and outdoor spaces without the extra work.
In the past years, real estate development companies have unveiled plans of building more townhome projects near the cities’ borders. They work with leading land surveyors to ensure successful land development and provide the best living option for clients. This gave rise to modern living options, such as condominiums, townhomes, and studio apartments.
Among these living options, townhomes are becoming a popular choice for young families and first-time home buyers. They are multi-level residential units that share similar facades and are cheaper than detached single homes on top of lower maintenance fees.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or new to townhome living, we are here to help you. Here are the important considerations before buying a townhome, so you can make an informed and confident decision for your future home.
Table of Contents
Costs
Townhouses are generally cheaper than single-family homes of the same location and size. A townhouse is not necessarily less expensive than detached single-family units. This is because the homeowner should cover the monthly homeowner’s association (HOA) fees, maintenance work (e.g. rd and yaHVAC services), and other additional assessments for the unit.
But if you’re the type of homeowner who has little patience for home upkeep, townhouses are a practical option. Since they’re newer with a regular amount of keep, they are also more updated than old single-family homes with similar costs but require a major overhaul.
The low price point of townhomes makes them particularly appealing among singles and young couples looking for a practical first-time house purchase. But those moving to townhome living should consider the HOA fees. Most associations require residents to cover large monthly fees for structural insurance, landscaping, and maintenance needs. Despite the costs, they remove the extra burden from busy homeowners when it comes to tackling house maintenance. They can also freely access community amenities, such as a gym, garden, and pool. When moving to a townhome, make sure to account for the HOA fees besides the mortgage payment.
Still, townhouses make a good starter option for empty nesters, young families, first-time buyers, and those looking for budget-friendly living options.
Moving
Here’s a fact: moving to a townhouse won’t be as easy as you imagine. The idea of lifting the sofa up multiple flights of stairs is no joke. That is why you will certainly need the help of a professional mover who is skilled in handling townhouse relocations since they have the right skills and equipment to do all the heavy lifting. They know how to move around tight hallways, corners, and stairwells without damaging the railings, walls, and your belongings.
Keep in mind that you won’t be getting plenty of square footage in a townhome. This may surprise you, especially if you’ve been living in large homes. If you own a lot of furniture pieces, decide how you will fit all the furniture inside and consider external storage facilities. Moving into a townhouse will involve a lot of precise measurements to ensure all bulky items are in their rightful place without damage.
Before calling in the mover, make sure how the moving vehicle will fit in the parking lot. Whether it’s a shared driveway, vacant lot, or on-street parking, notify the HOA prior to the move to know the most appropriate area to park and unload items.
On the brighter side, neighboring units in townhouses are close together, which means you can ask for extra helping hands during moving day.
HOA rules
The HOA rules and restrictions are the most critical considerations when moving to townhome living. Most HOAs have an extended list of dos and don’ts while living in the community. From gym hours and pool use to changes to the home exterior, it’s important to be aware of the common HOA rules. Here are some of them:
- No hanging towels on the patio
- No additions or alterations on the home’s exterior
- No parking in restricted areas
- No pets allowed. Some townhouse communities allow pets, but it’s often limited to at least two.
Before relocation, make sure to familiarize yourself with the townhouse rules to find out if it works for your lifestyle.
Townhomes are a perfect option for empty nesters and first-time homebuyers alike who want to avoid the costs of a detached single-family home. But keep in mind that every townhouse community is different. So make sure to know what you’re getting into before relocating to a townhome.