Do townhouses suck?

[ViviTheMage]

I always thought they were .. weird. In my area, they tend to be out in suburbia, so investment wise, it seems like a bad idea. Currently in a condo in uptown, the price for my place has actually gone up 15% or so since I bought it (2006), but every time I look for houses, I see OK looking townhouses, but it seems like a bad idea, because you can get into a house for 50k or so more...and not have to deal with homeowners associations and whatnot, you get an actual yard with a house, privacy with a house is much better, etc.

Thoughts on townhouses?

 

[brblx]

the price of a house with all the inconveniences of an apartment.

 

[ViviTheMage]

the price of a house with all the inconveniences of an apartment.

Yeah, pretty much sums up my thoughts on it too.

 

[ussfletcher]

Also, don't most townhouses and condos include community dues, that after time would balance out the 50k investment for a house?

 

[Cal166]

Also, don't most townhouses and condos include community dues, that after time would balance out the 50k investment for a house?

True, depends on what's cover on the monthly HOA fees. Some covers water, snow removal, trash, and yard work.

So it evens it out somewhat since if you have a house, you will have to pay for water & trash. Manual labor for snow removal and cutting the grass.

 

[MiniDoom]

mine is end unit so only one neighbor and she's never home. also was 100k cheaper than same size single family home. and lawn is a lot smaller so mowing takes like 5 minutes. i'm happy with it. my hoa is like $40mo.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Also, don't most townhouses and condos include community dues, that after time would balance out the 50k investment for a house?

Our association covers internet, snow removal, lawn care, gas, grabage, water, heating, etc. The only thing we pay for is electrical, and TV of course.

That is just monthlies that are covered, the money goes towards a new roof, anything that breaks, washer/dryers, water heaters, etc.

 

[Cal166]

mine is end unit so only one neighbor and she's never home. also was 100k cheaper than same size single family home. and lawn is a lot smaller so mowing takes like 5 minutes. i'm happy with it. my hoa is like $40mo.

Same here, I recently closed on an End unit. 4BR/3.5Baths with a Finished Basement, more than enough space for my SO and I. HOA is only $75 a month, includes Trash pickup, lawn mowing, snow removal, and others.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I almost bought one 2 years ago (had even put an offer) and now that I have a house, I'm glad I did not. It's worth waiting till you can afford a house. I can play a loud movie or game at 3:00am if I want with no worries.

 

[ViviTheMage]

mine is end unit so only one neighbor and she's never home. also was 100k cheaper than same size single family home. and lawn is a lot smaller so mowing takes like 5 minutes. i'm happy with it. my hoa is like $40mo.

That is cheap, places I looked at had $300-$500+ for HOA.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I almost bought one 2 years ago (had even put an offer) and now that I have a house, I'm glad I did not. It's worth waiting till you can afford a house. I can play a loud movie or game at 3:00am if I want with no worries.

and somewhere I can put a rack and servers for my farm :-D

I got a condo back in '06, and am 3-4 more years to get a house.

 

[ElFenix]

and your condo doesn't have a condo association?


lots of townhouses around here without an association

and not all of them have party walls.

 

[Cal166]

I almost bought one 2 years ago (had even put an offer) and now that I have a house, I'm glad I did not. It's worth waiting till you can afford a house. I can play a loud movie or game at 3:00am if I want with no worries.

How much is your monthly electrical, gas, water, and trash removal?

 

[Cerpin Taxt]

My townhouse has no HOA dues, and it's part of only a 2-unit structure, the other half of which is owned by my sister.

So my townhouse does not suck. Your mileage may vary.

 

[MiniDoom]

That is cheap, places I looked at had $300-$500+ for HOA.

damn, that's what i was paying hoa for my old condo.

 

[ViviTheMage]

and your condo doesn't have a condo association?


lots of townhouses around here without an association

and not all of them have party walls.

How is it a townhouse, and not have a shared wall?

Of course our condo has an association. A condo is cheaper then a townhouse out here, in a nicer location, and a better investment.

I am comparing a house to a townhouse.

 

[spidey07]

Sharing a wall with anybody sucks, therefore townhouses suck.

 

[ViviTheMage]

damn, that's what i was paying hoa for my old condo.

It was for a new development too, so most likely it would get adjusted after the first few years.

Our association is $180 per month, but like I said .. it covers everything but electricity/TV.

 

[Ksyder]

lots of townhouses around here without an association

and not all of them have party walls.

What are party walls?

n/m, I googled it.

 

[dawp]

not everywhere is the trash separate. when I lived in Ft. Worth, it was included in the water and together that was <$50/mo. this was a house.

 

[geno]

the price of a house with all the inconveniences of an apartment.

+ condo fees

Plus, townhouses are built with nothing other than profit in mind. If I had to take my chances as far as contractors cutting corners, I'd be willing to bet fewer are cut on a single family rather than a townhouse.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Personally, I'd never buy a townhouse. I looked at a few when I was searching for my first home. While you can save some money and decrease yard maintenance, it's not worth it to me.

- Shared wall(s) and all the problems that come along with that. Sound, electrical runs and plumbing runs, etc. If their place catches on fire or floods, you are probably going to get some damage as well. Your own house's well-being is dependent on your neighbors.
- Shared parking. Maybe a 1 car garage. My detached house has a 2 car garage.
- Even outside, you're very close to your neighbors. It's nice to have a little space.
- Very little outdoor space for a nice deck, patio, BBQ, shed, pool, firepit, etc. You might be able to choose 1 or 2, but you can't have them all.
- Outdoor stuff connects in some cases. Shingles, siding, etc. Can make it more difficult when replacing stuff. Not an issue with some newer places, because they offset roofs and facades.

 

[dawp]

the only places I would even consider a townhouse is on the east coast and it would have to be over 100 years old.

 

[fustercluck]

Townhouses does not sucks

 

[Capt Caveman]

In the city, a sf house will cost you twice as much at a minimum.

A townhouse will provide more than a condo.