The free-standing, detached residences that dot the countryside are well known to most people. However, both urban and suburban communities contain a small number of townhouses. Townhouse buildings have numerous levels and one or two walls that are shared with nearby residences.
Townhouses are more affordable than single-family residences when compared in price. The shared walls and smaller footprint are part of the reason for this. Despite having a similar amount of space to single-family homes, the reduced purchase price still applies.
The townhouse construction makes use of the economics of vertical space by having numerous levels. Homebuyers are able to purchase a property in an otherwise rather costly neighborhood since townhouses are reasonably priced and located close to single-family homes.
PROS OF TOWNHOUSE
- AFFORDABILITY
One of the many distinctive benefits of owning a townhome is affordability.
- AMENITIES
A few townhomes are a component of a construction. In such circumstances, amenities like a pool and clubhouse can be accessible. Townhouses come with a lot of outside area, which is great for families with kids. The best amenity is being in a great location near places of employment, shopping, and transit.
- FREEDOM
Townhouse owners are required to follow the HOA’s regulations. To guarantee that the properties are maintained in a particular way, the HOA creates rules. Townhouse owners, however, have more control over decisions affecting the interior and outside space than condo owners.
- MAINTENANCE IS LESS
A townhouse is less expensive to maintain than a single-family home because it is smaller, or because maintenance requires fewer work. Townhouse owners contribute to a HOA, so the association handles outside upkeep like lawn mowing and snow clearing.
CONS OF TOWNHOUSE
- HOA (homeowners’ association) FEES
Although the HOA takes care of exterior maintenance, there is a cost associated with association services that can fluctuate or rise over time. Monthly HOA dues can range from $100 to $700, with $200 being the average, depending on what services the HOA offers.
- HOA (homeowners’ association) REQUIREMENTS
A legally recognized organization, the HOA works to protect the value of the homes it owns. As a result, a HOA may have regulations that townhouse owners deem onerous. Landscaping, external accents, design alterations (such painting the townhome), exterior storage, and noise levels are examples of common regulations.
- SLOWER PRIVACY
Townhome owners have less privacy because each structure in a townhome shares at least one wall with another building. The property next door is likely to be invaded by the noise pollution coming from the residence of a nearby neighbor.
- VALUE AT RESALE
For young families, a townhome is an affordable option. Townhome owners, however, are likely to discover that their property has failed to increase in value if the family expands and a larger home is required. Families will consequently lose out on investment possibilities when reselling.
WHO MIGHT PURCHASE A TOWNHOUSE?
In addition to learning what it entails to own a home as a townhome owner, first-time homebuyers can afford a smaller townhouse property close to urban centers. The best candidates for townhome ownership are millennials with minimal prior experience owning a property.
Downsizing has advantages for empty nesters as well, such as less house maintenance work. These requirements are met by members of the Baby Boomer generation. On the other hand, a townhome’s yard space and controllable internal spaces make them perfect for young, expanding families.
Know the local real estate costs before purchasing a townhouse. Cities vary in their cost per square foot. Understanding the HOA fees before purchasing is also crucial because townhome prices have the power to make or break a sale.
It’s crucial to get finance preapproved. The purchase price includes the HOA dues when determining eligibility for financing. A potential townhome buyer could easily be turned off by high HOA dues. Additionally, obtaining preapproval enables the buyer to understand what costs fall inside a reasonable budget.
7 Benefits of Living in a Townhouse
Although townhouses are larger than high-rise condos, they don’t require the same level of maintenance or cost as detached or semi-detached homes. In actuality, townhouses benefit from many of the amenities that condo residents take for granted when it comes to quality of life.
Use our list below to discover if the top benefits of owning a townhouse correspond with your homeownership demands. Townhouses are “an increasingly popular option for would-be buyers” due to their combination of affordability, convenience, and room.
- Low Cost of Purchase
Townhouses often cost less than detached single-family homes, though real costs will vary depending on location and size.
A lower purchase price will, as you might expect, result in a smaller mortgage and, consequently, cheaper monthly payments. It’s important to keep in mind that many townhouses are part of condominium developments, which may impose additional monthly maintenance fees.
- Low Maintenance Requirements
But don’t allow those maintenance costs keep you from enjoying a significant perk: little maintenance. We are all aware of the hassle involved in clearing snow from the driveway each winter. However, in a single detached or semi-detached property, you must always do it yourself or hire someone else to do it for you. For owners of townhouses, that may not always be the case. Many townhome developments, like high-rise condominiums, are run by condominium corporations, which will charge a monthly maintenance fee.
- Room and Flexibility
Townhouses offer far more space and freedom than a condo suite while still providing the upkeep advantages of high-rise condos. Inside, you’ll find a multi-level house with a living room, kitchen, several bedrooms of average size, full bathrooms, and possibly a basement. Townhouses draw a lot of new and young families because of the extra room. Townhouses, in contrast to high-rise condos, provide space for families to spread out and enjoy more activities at home. Property owners are those who own townhouses. You own the whole interior of the house as well as anything nearby, including the front yard, patio, garage, driveway, etc. You may set up a patio, a basketball hoop, a grill for outdoor dining, and more.
- Privacy
Even though your townhouse will have shared walls with nearby units, you will maintain your privacy. In fact, you don’t have to deal with neighbors below or above you because you own the entire vertical, which should reduce noise compared to a condominium. You can use your garage unit whatever you like, for example, to store stuff and house your car.
- Security & Safety
Townhouses provide seclusion, but that doesn’t mean you’re by yourself! You and your neighbors will be fairly close due to the close proximity of townhome apartments. The features of many townhouse communities will provide you the opportunity to meet new people.
Especially when you’re unable to, you can use those connections to make sure that someone is constantly keeping an eye on your house and children (e.g., due to work or a trip). For elders who may occasionally require quick assistance, this is crucial.
- Amenities for a Quality of Life
Condominium corporations that operate townhouse communities may provide amenities including a gym, tennis and/or squash court, swimming pool, and children’s play area (just like many condominiums). You might get even more in communities of high-end or luxurious townhouses. These places not only provide you a chance to socialize with your neighbors, but they also make life easier and promote better health, leisure, and community building.
- Excellent Rental Potential
For those who want to live in townhouses, the aforementioned rules all apply. However, purchasing a townhouse does not usually entail relocating there. These advantages will apply to the rental market if you plan to purchase a townhouse to rent out.
A rise in demand and regulatory changes are projected to cause home purchase prices in the GTA to increase in 2019. More individuals will start looking for rentals as a result, and townhouses are positioned to compete well with high-rise condos as desirable housing options.
ADVANTAGE OF LIVING IN A TOWNHOUSES
- Who is the property’s owner
The land on which a townhouse is built is also included in the purchase price, so you essentially own and pay for both the house and the land. Owning a townhouse is similar to owning a semi-detached house, with the exception that it is situated in a complex of multiple apartments, each of which has its own front and backyard, parking space, and various storeys.
A detached single-family home in the same area may cost less to buy or build than a townhouse even if they have the same amount of square footage.
- Larger living area
A townhouse often has two stories and two bedrooms, or three stories and three bedrooms. As a consequence, you can easily furnish your living room with a sizable couch, side tables, the appliances you want, and kitchen furnishings, without having to worry about making it look tidy.
- Place to Park
Unlike when you purchase a condominium property, a parking space is typically included with a town house unit without additional fees or separate property titles.
- Located in a prominent area
The majority of townhouses for sale in Metro Manila are located in urban or densely populated areas due to their small real estate footprint. The majority of townhouses are also typically constructed as a component of a larger development and may contain features like a pool or clubhouse, round-the-clock security, or whatever else a resident could require in a neighborhood.
The homeowners’ association manages improvements and adjustments to properties. If a corporation of individual owners jointly owns the townhouse complex, changes to the complex’s common areas—such as its hallways, landscaped areas, building construction, and other facilities—must be approved by the homeowners; however, since the townhouse units within the complex are individually owned, they are responsible for their own property.
- Privacy
In contrast to condos, which share a single interior corridor or a balcony-style walkway, town homes are often built with separate external entrances. Homeowners are therefore allowed to conduct their own business at home without having to reveal any information about what they are now doing or intend to accomplish.
- Quick to turn over
The construction of townhouse complexes requires fewer units than that of condominium buildings or subdivisions, so the turnover of real estate is preferably quicker.
DISADVANTAGE OF LIVING IN A TOWNHOUSES
- Home owner’s association restrictions
The homeowner’s organization or developer may impose restrictions on the types of windows you can install or the paint colors you can use on your patio. If you own a townhouse, you must abide by these restrictions.
- Noise
You might experience greater noise and traffic if you share a wall with your neighbors than if you lived in a detached single-family home.
- Neighbors share the same wall
Similar to semi-detached homes, townhouses share roofs and walls. Your privacy might thus be jeopardized.
- BUILDING A TOWNHOUSE: ITS COST
Buildings like townhouses have residential construction costs per square meter of Php 10,954.00, according to Approved Building Permits Fourth Quarter 2020 Construction Statistics.
- COST OF A TOWNHOUSE BUY
In the Philippines, townhouses are often offered for sale in groups resembling rows of houses and have the same external styling and finishing as their neighbors. The typical starting price for a townhouse in the Philippines is Php 3,000,000.
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Written by Bermon O. Ferreras
