Shared Walls: Apartments, Condominiums, and Townhouses

For many homebuyers, a detached family home is the dream, which is why it’s often considered the default. However, others might prefer the convenience of attached housing or condominiums. If you don’t want or need the space of a detached home and yard, you can find a space of your own within a shared complex and less responsibility when it comes to yard work — if any responsibility at all. They also tend to be more affordable than detached family homes, and more available in urban areas for those who want to stay close to the heart of the city.

The question is, which kind of attached housing is right for you? The three most common types of living spaces like this are apartments, condominiums, and townhouses.

Apartments

Apartments tend to be most popular with single residents, a group of friends, or couples who haven’t started a family. However, there are still smaller families who make apartment living work and in fact prefer it to other kinds of housing. Apartment complexes are typically owned by a landlord and particular units are leased to individuals. This is the most affordable option, as well as the lowest maintenance option. You don’t have to worry about yard work, and typically maintenance is handled by the landlord at no extra cost to you. The downside is that you won’t have a yard of your own and any maintenance issues you might have are essentially at the whims of your landlord.

Condominiums

Condominiums, or condos, are very similar to apartments on a superficial level. They often look identical in some cases to apartments, but the experience of living in a condo is very different from the experience of living in an apartment. The primary difference is that while apartments are owned by a leasing company or landlord and rented to individuals, condominium units are typically individually owned, while the complex is grouped within a homeowners’ association. The lawn and all shared spaces are communally owned. Thus those who want to avoid an HOA fees or regulations may not be interested in condos, but ownership is an appealing feature to many, particularly single professionals and young families.

Townhouses

Townhouses or townhomes are individual, privately owned homes, but attached to neighboring houses by one or two shared walls. Though these types of homes tend to be more common in New England or on the coast, you can find townhouses in Bryan-College Station. Like condos, they tend to fall under an HOA. However, HOA fees for townhouses tend to be lower than HOA for condos. This is because maintenance for the exterior of the home, including the surrounding lawn, is the responsibility of the townhouse owner, while maintenance is covered under the HOA of condos. The design is also distinct, as townhouses tend to be uniquely vertical. Bedrooms are upstairs while living spaces are below.

If you’re looking for something low maintenance, you might prefer condos or apartments. However, some homebuyers prefer the freedom of townhouses compared to the other two. A townhouse is essentially the closest you’ll find to a detached home without actually purchasing a detached home.

Apartments, condos, and townhouses are all valid alternatives to detached family homes. Deciding between them depends on budget, your wish list, and your particular needs. Need help choosing which makes the most sense for you? Talk to an experienced realtor for available options in Bryan-College Station.