Condo Versus Townhouses: What Are the Key Differences?

When buying a house, there are so many things you have to consider. One of them is choosing the type of house you want to buy. Many house buyers are usually stuck between getting a condo, also known as a condominium, and a townhouse. Both options make excellent homes and are usually more affordable than single-family homes. They also require low maintenance needs. Below are some of the key differences between the two to help you choose the one that suits your needs. 

Structure

Townhouses are almost similar to traditional houses. They are multileveled and mostly have yards, both front yards and backyards. However, the biggest difference between townhouses and traditional homes is that they are not detached. Instead, their walls are attached to each other. 

Living in a condo is almost similar to living in an apartment. You own the interior of the home, and anything outside your unit’s exterior is owned by another entity. Check out these Ponce Inlet FL condos for sale.

Ownership

When you live in a condo, you will only own the interior of your unit. Any other thing outside the unit, including the common areas such as the pools, recreation centers, and tennis courts, are commonly owned. 

With a townhouse, you own the interior of your unit, the yard, deck, and patio. Basically, you own the home and the land it’s built on. Other amenities such as recreation centers are owned by another entity.

Cost

When buying a townhouse or a condo, price should be a considerable factor. Both options are more affordable than most detached houses. However, the two cost differently. Condos cost less than townhouses. This is because ownership of a condo is confined to its interior only. Also, owning a condo might be a little cheaper in the long run since you’ll only be paying taxes and insurance for the interior of the house. You also don’t need to take care of any other maintenance needs outside the walls of your home. 

However, overhead running costs depend on other factors, such as the location and square footage of a house. Ensure you consider all these things before making a purchasing decision. 

Home Owners’ Association (HOA)

When you purchase a condo or a townhouse, you will definitely need to join a homeowner’s association and pay monthly fees. HOA fees for condos can be a little higher than that of townhouses since the HOA is responsible for maintaining most of its amenities. 

Amenities

Both condos and townhouses have various amenities. However, the type of amenities a house has varies greatly by building or community. Mostly, condos have more amenities than townhouses. These may include gyms, pools, tennis courts, event spaces, and rooftop decks. However, as mentioned above, this varies greatly, and some townhouses may have more amenities than condos. 

Maintenance

Condos home owners’ associations take care of more maintenance issues than townhouses h

When you have a condo, you will only be required to take care of what is inside your house. When you have a townhouse, you require to conduct more self-maintenance since you will be in charge of extra things like the yard. 

However, some townhouses don’t have an HOA. Others have HOAs that only take care of grounds upkeep. They may also handle major maintenance such as roof replacement. However, there may be exceptions, and you need to get clear information before purchasing. 

Privacy

Privacy in a condo is different from that of a townhouse. Generally, townhouses offer more privacy than condos. If you are concerned about privacy and interference from the neighbors, then a townhouse will be an ideal option for you. You will not have neighbors above or below but on the sides only with a townhouse. Also, your kids can play in the yard instead of the common areas. 

Rules And Regulations

Generally, both condos and townhouses have rules and regulations. These may be stricter for condos since the homeowner’s association plays a greater role. There are upsides and downsides of strict rules; it depends on your preference. Some of the upsides include uniformity and enhanced convenience when things like parking are properly controlled. However, if you like freedom, you may feel like the rules and regulations are overwhelming. 

Condos and townhouses make great options for homebuyers. The two have some similarities and key differences too. To choose either a condo or a townhouse, consider your needs and preferences.