Some homebuyers are very clear on the kind of home they want when they start shopping. They own Roscoe the wonder dog and they want a yard for him to run and play in. Or they have a desire to travel a lot and don’t want to be tied down with yard work and outside maintenance. Choosing a traditional home with a yard may be best for folks with a yen to garden. If you spend half the year in Florida, you may want a townhome where care is provided outside even when you are gone.
That’s why picking the home style for you depends on your life style and your personal preferences. When townhomes were first introduced, 30 or 40 years ago, people just couldn’t conceive of a home which SHARED a yard with the other homeowners. It wasn’t part of our home ownership heritage. But with the passing of the years, more folks are opting for a “carefree” lifestyle. Because townhomes are built on smaller lots and the green space outside the homes is owned jointly with the other homeowners,,the care of the yard and snowplowing is hired out. You pay for it in your townhome association dues. The association also cares for your siding and roof and in some instances the windows. You just worry about the inside of the home.
If you like to putter outside in the yard, or have a pet or kids, or you enjoy outside maintenance and own an awesome riding mower and snowblower, you may prefer living in a single family home. There is nothing inherently better about a townhome or a single family home.
Once you decide how you’d like to live, then it will be easy to decide if you rather own a townhome or a single family home. Your realtor may be a valuable resource to you in making this decision. If you are still not clear about what you want, go look at both and take some time to make up your mind.
For more detailed information, come to our FREE NO OBLIGATION FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER class or wait for future blogs. “Simple answers to home ownership questions”.