Information on Townhouses

Definition

• A townhouse is a single-family house that usually adjoins with similar homes sharing a sidewall. A townhouse's development has a small setback, or space from the nearest street or sidewalk, so several households can live in a block that takes up much less space than the same number of families in a neighborhood of single-family homes. Townhouse developments' size and function allow them to be situated in urban areas and close to public transit.

Apartments and Condominiums

• Though townhouses, like apartments, are homes joined together, a key difference separates the two: Townhouse residents have neighbors to their sides, but they lack neighbors above them and below them. This means no footsteps from a floor above townhouse residents will keep them up at night -- and no downstairs neighbors will be poking their ceiling with a mop stick to tell them to quiet down. Townhouses can be owned or rented, but townhouses -- particularly those owned -- likely will have more of a "home" feel to them, as these structures are less modular and uniform than typical apartment units, and their owners can make significant changes to the interior. In addition, unlike a condo, if you own a townhouse, you own the land beneath your townhouse.

Pros

• Townhouses are part of a homeowners association and usually come with benefits that particularly cater to busy professionals or low-maintenance residents who value recreation. For instance, a development of townhouses often has amenities such as pool access and tennis courts for all residents, along with a maintenance crew that handles landscaping and some repairs. Additionally, having neighbors so close by -- only walls separate households -- adds a sense of security.

Cons

• As members of a homeowners association, townhouse owners must follow strict rules that restrict significant remodeling or exterior changes, plus they must pay monthly fees to maintain active membership that grants them access to amenities and maintenance services. Though they own their home's land, there's usually not much of it, and the backyard may include just a deck or patio. Additionally, residences' proximity means residents must relinquish some expectation of privacy.