Buying A Townhome
By Jeff Reynolds · January 14, 2024
An Alternative To Condo Living
Buying a Townhome (often referred to as a townhouse or skinny) has always been a popular option for many different types of buyers. It is a good option for a lot of you that enjoy the luxury and convenience of a condo. There is a very little yard to maintain, no HOA dues and it can offer a little more space than your typical condo. Townhomes often come with a garage, they are typically 3 bedrooms and at least 2 baths and in some cases, you can find units with killer rooftop decks. Take a look at our list of pros and cons before deciding if a Townhome is right for you.
Pros
Vertical Space
Often cheaper than a traditional single-family home
Drought Free Landscaping (No lawn to mow)
Typically Larger Than A Condo
Garage Parking
Mini-Splits (Air Conditioning)
Rooftop Deck
Cons
Stairs | Townhomes often have at least 2 full flights of stairs
Ordinary (on occasion) If you don’t pay attention to the design you can often end up with a home that looks like many others in the city
Blinds/Window Coverings | Most developers will never add this to the unit. Be prepared, they can be expensive
Sewer Capacity Charge: In Seattle, we have what is called an SCC. This is passed on to a buyer and you should budget a minimum of $50-$75 per month
Not all townhomes are walkable to popular areas of the city. Pay close attention to the location
Why We Believe In Townhomes
Much like other areas of the country, Seattle is dealing with how to add more urban density. We believe that the Townhome products will be popular for years to come. It is often much less than buying a single-family residence, it gives you a little more space than a condo would and townhomes are CHIC! You can often find townhomes that are designed really well with contemporary interiors, steel, concrete, and wood-clad exteriors and if you look really closely, you can find killer units that have massive roof-top decks. Have questions? Don’t be afraid to ask – we do this for a living! Read More
Originally published on UrbanCondoSpaces.com. Updated for Seattle Condo Authority.
Weekly Newsletter
Seattle Condo Market Briefing
Weekly insights on Seattle's condo market. Building updates, price trends, and neighborhood intel from 20+ years on the ground.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Jeff Reynolds
Seattle Condo Specialist · Compass Real Estate
Jeff has spent 20+ years helping buyers and sellers navigate Seattle's condo market building by building. Have a question about this topic?