February 3rd, 2009
What’s the difference between a Condo and Townhouse?
Many of the people that I work with that are searching for home downsizing options are often a bit confused as to the differences between townhomes and condominiums (condos) and even use the terms interchangeably. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference by just looking at these homes. Well, at its most basic level, a townhouse is a type of construction while a condominium is a form of ownership.An individual condo owner holds title to the condominium unit only, not the land beneath the unit, the air above it, or the building the condo is in. This is why you most often see condos stacked on top of each other… because each owner individually owns only the inside of their condo, not anything around it. I often describe to prospective condo buyers that their ownership includes “from the paint on the walls and in”. All condo owners share title to the common areas of the development they live in. Common areas include land, the exterior of buildings, hallways, roofs, swimming pools and any area used by multiple owners. A property owners’ association usually manages the complex and collects fees from all condo owners in order to maintain common areas. One should always make sure to clearly understand the condo association dues and what they do/do not cover. 
Townhomes are usually a series of single-story or multistory units that are linked to each other by common walls. Townhome owners hold title to their units, the land beneath them and air above them… just like a “regular” home. This is why townhome units cannot be stacked on top of each other. As with condos, common areas are owned jointly by all townhouse owners. The property owners’ association usually manages the townhouse complex and collects fees from all owners in order to maintain common areas. Most townhome associations take responsibility for front and backyard lawn maintenance. While both condos and townhomes require less maintenance than other homes, condos usually require the least amount of maintenance because the entire exterior of the units is managed by the owner’s association. Of course “maintenance-free” lifestyle does not mean “free”. Condos usually have higher association fees than townhomes. If you would like more information on the real estate options available to you, feel free to e-mail me at bhaycock@windermere.com and I will be happy to address any needs you have.
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