New construction townhomes were once often overlooked in a homebuyer's search, failing to compete with more popular property types, such as single-family homes. However, in recent years, this has changed. Townhome living now offers many advantages, including benefits that improve the convenience, affordability, and quality of the home-owning experience.
This article explores these benefits in further detail, highlighting the primary benefits of townhome living, discussing how townhomes compare to other housing types, and outlining who is best suited to purchase a townhome.
Ready to find your dream home? Explore new construction townhomes in your area.
What Are New Construction Townhomes?
New construction townhomes are brand-new properties that haven't been occupied before. These properties are popular because they are in pristine condition, built to the latest code requirements, contain modern design elements, and are in complete working order. All parts and utility systems are fully functional without any needed repairs.
Compared to existing homes, new construction properties are typically in better shape, require less maintenance, are more energy efficient, and come with affordable financing options. Some builders even offer customization packages, in which homebuyers can decide what paint colors, trim, flooring, and appliances they want in their townhome.
What Are the Benefits of Living in a Townhome?
Townhome living offers many benefits that appeal to a wide range of homebuyers. The most common benefits of townhome living are low maintenance, enjoyable amenities, great value, prime location, and a sense of community.
Low Maintenance
One of the most incredible benefits of townhouse living is minimal maintenance. Moving into a new construction townhome will make landscaping and lawn maintenance effortless. After all, the homeowner’s association (HOA) takes care of most of it for you. You can forget sweaty Sundays and say goodbye to lugging a push mower and weedeater around a large yard.
New construction townhomes come with even less maintenance than traditional townhomes, as these pristine properties are in terrific condition and require no immediate repairs or replacements.
On the other hand, existing properties will each have their own set of problems or flaws. At the very least, features will have experienced normal wear and tear throughout the previous owner's residence. Maybe the air conditioner’s motor needs replacement, or the roof needs work. Whatever it is, when you purchase a new construction townhome, you know you won’t have to deal with it.
Community Amenities
Fancy a resort getaway? Well, townhome communities can feel like a resort in many ways. Not only do they often have shared pools, clubhouses, and other exciting amenities, but these amenities are also maintained, cleaned, and serviced by a third party—in the case of a townhome, it’s your HOA. Additional recreational amenities often include barbecue grills, fitness centers, dog parks, volleyball and tennis courts, and sometimes even golf courses.
However, recreational amenities are not the only amenities townhomes offer. Townhome living often includes pest control, trash collection, and other service amenities, once again easing the hassle of homeownership.
High Value
Townhomes can be excellent investment properties. Not only are they usually more affordable than standalone homes (even in the same neighborhood), but they can also maintain their value like any other property. When you live in a townhome, you also don’t have to worry about expensive property taxes. Townhomes are often on a smaller lot, drastically reducing property taxes compared to those of standard single-family homes in the same location.
Prime Location
Another popular benefit of townhome living is location. Homebuilders typically construct townhome developments conveniently where modern amenities are widely available. It’s not uncommon to find townhomes with a high walkability score. These properties could be near an entertainment district where restaurants, shops, and other businesses are plentiful or located near schools, parks, and technology centers.
Sense of Community
There’s no denying that shared walls and living close to your neighbors are fundamental parts of townhome living. Many people find this sense of community one of the most rewarding benefits of townhome living.
Living close to your neighbors makes it hard not to learn their names and develop a sense of kinship. This can be very rewarding for individuals looking to break away from the level of isolation that comes standard with living in a single-family home.
Comparing Townhomes to Other Home Types
While searching for the perfect home, you’ll probably encounter many different property types, including new construction townhomes, single-family houses, and maybe even a condo or two. Understanding what separates each property type from another can streamline your search and help you make a better decision based on your needs, wants, and lifestyle.
How Does Townhome Living Compare to a Single-Family Home?
Compared to single-family homes, townhomes are generally more affordable, have lower property taxes, and come with less maintenance. Due to their small footprint, many townhomes are also energy efficient, requiring less electricity to cool and heat the home throughout different seasons.
Obtaining a Loan for a Townhome vs. a Single-Family Home
The loan process for a townhome is very similar to that for a single-family home. You can even find a lender and get pre-approved, just as you would when buying a detached house. Also, new construction townhomes often come with special financing options, potentially decreasing your down payment or monthly mortgage.
What’s The Difference Between Living in a Townhome and a Condo?
Living in a condo can be similar to living in an apartment, especially those with interior entrances. You own the space inside your home but nothing outside, including the building's exterior. While some condos may resemble single-family dwellings, the details of your ownership remain the same. Alternatively, when you purchase a townhome, you own the inside of your unit, the exterior walls, and the property on which it sits.
Who Is Best Suited For Townhome Living?
Townhome living can be an excellent fit for many homebuyers, including retirees, young families, first-time homebuyers, and singles. Anyone who wants more space than an apartment or condo without the added maintenance, hassle, and costs of a detached single-family home is a great candidate for townhome living.
Common Misconceptions About Townhomes
While many owners love townhome living, there are still some common misconceptions about townhomes:
Problems with neighbors: Some people believe the worst when they think about living in close proximity to their neighbors. And yes, there are bad neighbors. But generally, townhome communities are very friendly and fun to be a part of. For individuals looking for friends and social gatherings, townhomes are perfect. Most townhome developments host special events and get-togethers where neighbors are encouraged to mingle.
Bad for pets: Yes, HOAs often restrict certain dog breeds from their communities, such as pit bulls, rottweilers, and cane corsos, based on their size and reputation. However, this doesn’t mean townhome communities are bad for pets. Most townhomes reside near dog parks, clean-up stations, and walking trails that you and your pet will both love.
Expensive HOA Fees: HOAs get a bad rap for being costly. However, most HOA fees are entirely reasonable when considering what they cover: landscaping, trash collection, pest control, and the upkeep of shared amenities (swimming pools, walking trails, clubhouses, etc.).
Lack of space: The average townhome is smaller than the average single-family home. However, townhomes may have more square footage than you think, especially when you account for multiple floors and open-concept living spaces.
New Construction Townhomes: Finding Your Dream Property
Townhomes are a fantastic option for various homebuyers. What’s not to love? They’re affordable, convenient, and low-maintenance, and builders often design them with modern amenities and style in mind.
At Century Communities, we’re committed to helping homebuyers find their dream home. Our pristine properties and communities feature stylish designs, modern floor plans, and affordable price tags. Use our Find Your Home feature to check out new construction townhomes in your area!
New Construction Townhomes FAQ
Are Townhomes a Good Investment?
Townhomes are often more affordable than other property types. They can also be an excellent real estate investment if you’re looking to ditch the extensive maintenance of existing detached homes.
What are the Maintenance Responsibilities of Townhome Owners?
Every townhome community and homeowners association (HOA) is different. Townhome owners are generally responsible for maintaining the inside of their homes, but the HOA takes care of everything outside, including landscaping, trash, general upkeep, and preserving the community's common areas. In some townhome communities where each property has an extended front or backyard, townhouse owners may also be responsible for exterior maintenance on this part of the property.
Are Townhomes Good for Pets?
Every situation is different, and some HOAs restrict specific dog breeds from their communities. However, in many circumstances, having a pet in a townhome community is a delightful experience, as you’ll both have access to the dog park, pet clean-up stations, and nearby walking trails.