What Is A Townhouse? Here’s Everything You Must know

What Is A Townhouse?

The exterior of the townhouse looks like a villa but practically it is very different. If we define a . townhouse in a few words then “it is a tall, narrow traditional residential unit, generally having two or three floors.” In most townhouse developments, units are built in rows and attached (with shared walls). This residential property type also generally has a front and backyard to use as parking & garden as they like. Townhouses are most well-suited for big modern families who require spacious accommodation and apartments in big cities cannot provide this spaciousness in room sizes & numbers. 

The Biggest Question Here

What Is Difference Between A Townhouse Villa And Apartment?

Let’s talk about villas first - This is a large detached residential structure generally more than 6 & 7 Bed where ownership is granted to a single person. In simple words, as an owner of the villa, you own a unit of four walls with a spacious front area for a garden, a basement for parking, a private swimming pool & gym in many developments and terraces. 

Now we come to the apartment -  this is a multistorey development comprising several units, generally sharing walls with other units. Have shareable amenities & common areas like parking, common amenities, green areas and parks etc. The sizes of apartments are small in most of the developments. Starting from 1 bedroom to 5 bedrooms. 

The biggest difference between apartments & townhouses is the size, townhouses are larger than apartments. Townhouses have more than 1 level as a single unit but an apartment is just part of any level. Unlike townhouses, apartments don’t have a private garden but have reserved parking. 

Pros And Cons Of Buying A Townhouse

Pros

Affordability - Townhouses are more affordable than other detached property options like villas. 

Adequate Living Spaces - Generally townhouses have 2 floors 3 bedrooms and bathrooms, which is adequate for a single family. 

Perfect Location - Generally these townhouses are positioned within a master community a well-planned location. 

Privacy - Townhouses provide more privacy than other attached living options like apartments.

Cons

High Cost of Maintenance - This residential option requires more maintenance costs than apartments & condos. 

Noises - As you know that townhouses share walls with other units, so due to noisy neighbours you have to compromise with peace of mind. 

Small Area - Even townhouses are adequately spacious from the inside for a small family but parking spaces & yards are very small. 

Tips For Buying A Townhouse In 2022

Home seekers & investors who are planning to buy a townhouse anywhere in the world can consider these tips. 

Consider your budget - As you know that townhouse has come into the affordable category if we compare them with villas and at the same time comes into the luxury category if we compare them with condos & apartment developments. So, if you considering townhouses then you should evaluate your budget first. As well as, the price of townhouses very much depends on the locality & amenities of the community. 

Make a must-have list for the community - Buying process of properties like townhouses is very much different from window shopping. Here you need to do your homework properly before putting your first step in the market. You can start with making a list of communities where you can buy a townhouse by keeping in mind your budget and other expectations. 

Perk up your ears - Real estate is an ever-changing market, so there is no hard and fast rule for investing or buying townhouses. The only thing you can do is just be alert & updated on every happening in the global market as well as the real estate micro-market where you are looking for property. 

Check out the common areas - We advise you to don’t underestimate this point. Most home buyers just close the deal under the influence of eye-catching exterior & luxury interior & specifications. But you need to pay equal attention to the common areas of development before taking any decision. 

Think long-term - Maybe the current setting of that particular townhouse unit is perfect for you this time. But here you are going to live for a long time, right now you can climb the stairs but maybe in the future, you will face some trouble. This is just an example to think from this point of view. 

Get Home Inspection - You must consider this point if you are buying a townhouse in resale. A proper home inspection from an experienced & qualified person let the buyer know about repair & maintenance cost. And you can take your property buying decision more proficiently. 

What Is A Freehold Townhouse?

As the term “Freehold” suggests - free from any hold except the owner. As an owner of the freehold townhouse you have complete ownership, and clear title of the townhouse as well as the piece of land on which the unit is constructed. The ownership of a freehold township will sustain forever and you can transfer it to your next generation or gift anybody else. 

What Is A Townhouse Vs A House?

Townhouses and houses have some common features, but some features make the difference. Now you know about the townhouse, so let's talk about the house. 

Homes can be in different shapes, sizes & structural designs, but as you know townhouses have a fixed structural design and limited sizes. In comparison to townhouses, a single-family house is more spacious and detached from other houses. 

Let's Compare Both (Townhouse and House) On Some Factors

Cost - Townhouses are available at very lower prices in comparison to houses. In the future, as an owner of a townhouse, you need to pay low maintenance costs to the RWA. On the other hand, the maintenance cost of the house is higher. 

Maintenance Requirements - All the responsibility for the maintenance of the house is on the shoulders of the owners. But as a buyer of luxury townhouses within a community, everything will be handled by the community association. 

Availability of Space - Now you know that houses are larger, so there is more spaciousness, more personal space for the family members and complete privacy. But townhouses are smaller than houses, so the owners have to compromise a little bit on these factors. 

Flexibility - A house owner can alter anything within their periphery like change the exterior and interior & layout plan as they want (if the property is not part of any community or there is no restriction from the community). But as an owner of townhouses within the community, there are some limitations from community association. 

What Does A Townhouse Look Like? 

In most communities, the exterior of townhouses is look like a villa but the biggest difference is villas are stand-alone residential properties and townhouses are attached to other units. Generally, a townhouse is a multi-floor unit comprising 3, 4 or 5 Beds with separate washrooms, a spacious living area, a parking area for 2 cars and a backyard. 

What Is A Stacked Townhouse? 

“Stacked” word derived from “stack” means the arrangement of boxes on top or each other. In simple words, a stacked townhouse is a mixture of a traditional townhouse and a condo. This residential property type has two or more units with different exteriors & entrances. A stacked townhouse is very popular in western countries where space are limited and property price is higher. 

What Is A Condo Townhouse?

A condo Townhouse is also a type of townhouse where you own just a unit with the interior, not the exterior. Here outside of your main door is collectively dedicated as the common area for the other co-residents. This common area and other common features are maintained through monthly fees levied by every owner. 

What Is A Duplex Townhouse?

The term duplex in residential property has different meanings in different countries, for example in the USA a Duplex refers to a single unit of two floors which is connected through an inner staircase, in Australia a duplex is considered as two attached units with a common central wall. Generally, a Duplex Townhouse is two paired homes attached with common walls and with a common exterior that looks like a large home. 

What To Look For When Buying A Townhouse?

Location - A most important & common point for every property type. A townhouse in a good location provides you with the ease of access to different parts of the city. As well as, high ROI and Rental are guaranteed. 

Condition - If you are purchasing a new townhouse then the only thing you should check is the construction quality. But if you are purchasing a resale townhouse then you have to check a few more things like leakage, plumbing work, electrical wiring, door & windows etc. 

Renovation & Furnishing Cost - Whether you buying a new townhouse or an old one, you need to spend some money on renovation & furnishing. So before finalizing any unit, you should estimate the renovation & furnishing cost. 

Builder Reputation - This is one of the crucial aspects for the individuals who are buying or investing in the townhouse & other property types in a new location or abroad. Only a reputed builder can provide better quality home, at the best location at the best price. 

What Is The Average Price Of A Townhouse?

If truth is to be told then there is no accurate estimate of a townhouse or other property types’ price. Because the value of any property is set on several factors like location, community type, size, specifications and amenities & features. But we can give you an estimate, the average starting price of townhouses is $800, 000.

Find Your Dream Townhouse With Dubai Housing?

If you are planning to buy a luxury townhouse in Dubai but don’t know where to start and how to find the best community then DubaiHousing can provide you with the best assistance in your home-buying journey!

Dubai Housing partners with reputed real estate developers in Dubai like Damac Properties, Emaar, Sobha Realty, Azizi Developments, Nshama etc. So, here you will get great options not only in townhouses but in villas & apartments at your desirable price with the best amenities & features. 

Conclusion

Townhouses are one of the trendiest residential property types that offer many pros and few cons. So, before buying you need to keep these upper-mentioned points in mind, all your current & future needs and do your research as well. If you need any home-buying assistance in Dubai then it is always a good idea to choose Dubai Housing as your home buying guide.