| If you're one of those people who doesn't like | | | | 3. Overall Price & Ownership - Buying a |
| maintaining your lawn or want to commit to a | | | | condo or townhouse can be much cheaper than a |
| large down payment for a conventional home, | | | | conventional home. Whether it's a condo for sale, |
| buying a condo or townhouse may be right for | | | | where you enter into a main lobby or a |
| you. Before we look at the top five reasons to | | | | townhouse that allows you to have a private |
| buy a condo or townhouse, what are condos and | | | | entrance and perhaps your own carport or |
| townhouses? | | | | garage, both are cheaper all around than a |
| Condos and townhouses are unit-based home | | | | conventional home. Ownership of a condo or |
| purchases. For example, a condo unit will exist | | | | town home is much the same as a conventional |
| within a group of connected condominiums and | | | | home. You finance or pay cash and own the title |
| you purchase one unit or one condo. Townhouses | | | | to the condo unit or townhouse you buy. When |
| are found in planned developments where all | | | | you sell it, you do this on your own as long as |
| homes are similar in style and you purchase the | | | | your follow the bylaws, covenants, and |
| townhouse but are not responsible for the upkeep | | | | restrictions. With a town home for sale, you will |
| of common areas. The same for condos-you are | | | | usually also hold title to the land the townhouse |
| not responsible for common areas, recreational | | | | sits on. |
| areas, swimming pools or other areas where the | | | | 4. Appeal for the Elderly - If you are in your |
| Homeowner's Association you join and pay for | | | | retirement years, often a condo or town home is |
| each month takes care of these common areas | | | | your best bet, especially when it comes to |
| and you must abide by condo and townhome | | | | security and community involvement. Some town |
| bylaws as well as rules and regulations. You do | | | | home and condo communities are dedicated for |
| pay individual property taxes on both condos and | | | | the elderly only and can provide activities at the |
| townhouses. | | | | same location where you live. |
| Here are the top five reasons we found to | | | | 5. Simple Care - Because almost all townhouses |
| purchase a condo or townhouse: | | | | and condos have management, if you do need to |
| 1. Less Commitment - Condos and townhouses | | | | "fix" up your dwelling, there are provided specific |
| are great for people who want to own their | | | | guidelines on what you can and can't do. If you |
| dwelling space but don't want to do all the | | | | aren't the creative type, town homes and condos |
| required lawn and common area maintenance. | | | | are great for a structured way to keep up with |
| Most condos and townhouses do not require a | | | | the exterior maintenance such as exterior paint |
| down payment as large as on conventional | | | | color (which can usually be arranged through the |
| homes. While you are committed to the condo or | | | | Homeowner's Association) and other exterior |
| townhome, you buy and must follow the | | | | options that are allowed. |
| Homeowner's bylaws, owning a condo or | | | | What is the Homeowner's Association? |
| townhouse can be less of a stress when it comes | | | | All condos for sale and most town homes for sale |
| to lawn upkeep and can offer more amenities | | | | are organized by a Homes Association. When you |
| than a conventional home. | | | | purchase your condo or townhouse, you become |
| 2. The Amenities - Because condos and | | | | a member by default. Usually there is a board of |
| townhouses are usually in planned areas and are | | | | community members that oversee the bylaws, |
| consider a "community" of sorts, certain amenities | | | | rules, and regulations. The association is also |
| may come with the purchase of your condo unit | | | | responsible for the upkeep of all common areas. |
| or town home unit. These amenities may include a | | | | There is a master fund that is funded through |
| shared swimming pools, tennis courts, recreational | | | | monthly fees payable by you and is set at time |
| areas, common barbecue areas, and picnic areas | | | | of move-in. Fees can be raised from time to time |
| and meeting rooms that may be rented for | | | | as outlined by the bylaws. All condo and |
| parties. Other features could include higher | | | | townhouse owners must abide by the rules and |
| security and a fitness center and newer | | | | regulations and pay their fees on a timely basis. |
| condominium and town home structures are | | | | Buying a condo for sale or a townhouse can be |
| offering entire community conveniences such as | | | | an advantageous idea if you are looking for |
| grocery stores, drycleaners, and restaurants all | | | | maintenance free lawn care, amenities such as |
| within the development giving you the option to | | | | pools or tennis courts, and a sense of security for |
| never leave the condo area for certain consumer | | | | all who live within the limits of each of the |
| needs. | | | | communities. |