Benefits of Living in a Townhome in Ottawa

Living in a townhome comes with a ton of benefits that you may not find in condo living or a freehold home. 

Townhouses can be described as a mix between condos and freehold homes, and come with the benefits of both. For example, townhomes typically follow a condo structure of shared responsibility for the area, meaning less of the work falls completely on your time or your budget. On the other hand, you benefit from a partial or full front and back yard, a front door that isn’t shared with others (typically), and more privacy, as well as a bigger space than your average condo unit. 

Let’s dive into some of the benefits of townhome living: 

A Lower Cost

Townhomes typically cost less than freehold homes, but more than condos. If you’re looking to upgrade from condo life, but want to save yourself some money, a townhome is a great balanced option. Because you share walls with another person, and they are typically smaller than the average freehold home, costs will be lower. 

Maintenance is Lower

Because the property is shared with others, maintenance should be less expensive and typically, if the townhome is also run by a condo association, you will pay into that maintenance monthly instead of all at once when disaster strikes. Your condo fees will be put towards regular maintenance and saved for emergencies. This means fewer out-of-pocket expenses for things that come up. 

Maintenance

Outside of the financial aspect, there is also typically less yard work and other maintenance necessary. Lawns may be mown by a hired service, and other services like gutter cleaning, power washing, and even snow shovelling could be covered by your association. 

More Space

Compared to a condo apartment, a townhouse has more space. Typically there will be more than one floor, more bedrooms, and more square footage. You will also have more windows (on either side of the building, and potentially a side wall if you are an end unit). You may also have a directly attached garage, a fully fenced-in backyard, or even a front porch. These extra spaces provide more options for you to customize your home and enjoy your space. 

Privacy

Townhomes typically are more private than condo apartments. With your own front door and potentially a fully fenced backyard, you have more opportunities to spend time with family in a private space that is completely your own. Condo apartments typically have more shared spaces that must be rented for private events, and the front entrance, elevators, and hallways are shared spaces. The difference on a day you just want to keep to yourself is huge! 

Community

Because townhomes are so close together, there is a better sense of community amongst many townhome neighbours. This won’t always be the case, of course, but when you share a wall and your front door is so close to someone else, you’re sure to cross paths! Many people may find their townhome community has regular events, their children play together on the shared front lawns, and more!

Safety

Another great thing about townhomes is the safety aspect. Unlike a freehold home that may have a huge property in the middle of nowhere, you are much closer to your neighbours and will most likely get to know them. They can watch over your home, pets, or even kids when you are away and are close and available to call the police if anything were to go wrong. But, compared to condo apartments, you also have fewer neighbours, meaning less risk of someone perhaps trying to get into your home or any dangers that may be happening in a neighbour's apartments. 

Location

You may find more townhomes in an ideal location than freehold homes because they’re easier and cheaper to build for developers who want to prioritize as many sales as possible. They also take up less space, so city developers will be more interested in having them in the area. They may be closer to parks, schools, and more. 

Rent Potential

If your townhome is an investment property, you’ll be happy to know that townhomes are highly desirable rental properties. Many families are looking for the same things we’ve highlighted above, but either aren’t in a position to, or aren’t interested in, purchasing one. These make them ideal clients, and you’ll never have to worry about paying your mortgage yourself!