Whether you’re looking to buy your first space, downsize or retire to a lower maintenance home, you may be wondering what the difference is between a townhouse and a condominium.

Today, we’re going to explore the differences between these types of properties to help you understand which one is best for you.

The Main Differences Between DC Townhouses and Condos

While most condominiums are apartments, a townhouse is attached to one or more houses and can run the gamut from duplexes and triplexes to communities with hundreds of homes.

With a townhouse, buyers separately own their homes and the land on which the houses sit. With a condominium, the unit owners jointly own the land and this common interest cannot be separated from the others.

Townhouses can be structured in many ways. Some, particularly huge communities, have common areas – such as swimming pools – that are similar to condominiums.

So what are the pros and cons of a townhouse? On the plus side, exterior maintenance and repairs are minimal; there are no neighbors above or below the home like in an apartment; and because the homes are attached, they may offer a greater sense of security.

As for the disadvantages, if there is a homeowner’s association, buyers will have to pay a homeowner’s fee. There is also less privacy than with a detached single-family home.  And there are limits on how you can make exterior changes to the home.

How about the pros and cons of a condo? Condos are a good way to enter into homeownership. The generally higher price of single-family homes and the influx into the housing market of more single homebuyers have made condos relatively hot national investments. They have held their value as an investment despite economic downturns and problems with some associations.

Condominium associations have also worked hard in recent years to clean up their image.  Disputes and lawsuits were once rampant. But now associations have become savvier about property management and have taken steps to prevent legal problems and disputes.

We’re Here to Help With All Your Washington DC Real Estate Needs!

Hopefully you found the above information valuable and you’re that much closer to determining if a townhouse or a condo is right for you.

For more valuable guidance on the Washington DC real estate market, make sure to connect with us at The Estridge Group. We are seasoned real estate agents in DC and we would love to share our useful resources and insightful advice with you.

Until next time,

Melinda