Would you consider doing this?

[Sherri]

I haven't even talked to dh about this. This thought came to me today. Its only a thought at this point.
There are these three year old townhomes in town that I live. They are really big as far as townhomes go, they are a bit bigger and definatly newer then our single house.
Would you ever consider moving from a single house to a townhouse?
They are beautiful.
They cost less then what we could sell our home for, and we don't have a mortgage anymore on our house, so if we sold this then we could pay for the townhouse and have lots of money left over.
The problem is we have lived here since the summer before ds started kindergarten and ds was still in nursary school and now they are half way through 8th and 9th grade. We have lots of memories here. I get very sentimental. But the thought of going somewhere practically new seems appealing. The kids will be in the same school as they are in now, that wouldn't change.
I'm thinking dh would like the idea (can't wait until he gets home to show him online). Then again, I always get so afraid of change.
Just wondered what you guys thought.

 

[shirleyb]

It sounds like it's definitely worth checking out. What would appreciation be like, compared to your single family house?

 

[GeorgeG]

I would consider it since I'm not a yard person. My wife, however, likes working in the yard and our home is not quite a year and a half old. I think we're here for quite some time to come.

A lot can depend on the privacy wanted and offered and I think I might want an end unit... and a garage is a must.

 

[lillygator]

go for it!

 

[JadenLayne]

My first thought was also of a year! We love to have cookouts and spend time in the backyard during the summer. Do the townhomes have small private yards?

 

[Bob Slydell]

Personally, I wouldn't, but I can imagine a number of circumstances where I would consider it. But for now, I'd prefer my house with a yard for the kids over a townhome.

 

[azgal81]

I would considering I wouldn't have to worry about the yard work etc anymore if I was in a townhome! Sure your house has memories but those will move with you. One thing you might want to consider as well is the monthly HOA fee some are really pricey that would affect my decision as well.

 

[Tazicket]

I would not, but mostly b/c I really don't care for communal living (we're in a condo and it drives me nuts). You also might want to consider whether you would plan to move in there forever or whether you'd be trying to sell it later. I've heard that townhouses are really easy to get into and very difficult to get out of.

 

[Sherri]

I would consider it since I'm not a yard person. My wife, however, likes working in the yard and our home is not quite a year and a half old. I think we're here for quite some time to come.

A lot can depend on the privacy wanted and offered and I think I might want an end unit... and a garage is a must.

There are three units, one is the corner unit. They ALL have finished basements and garages.

 

[Robinrs]

My sister bought a townhome 4 years ago and her daughter came to town and bought one last year. Both are totally urban types, so yardwork is a nightmare to them (and to ME)...

My only complaint is the stair climbing. My niece lives in a 3 story, really 4 because the garage is in the first level. It's straight up and a HIKE. She's young so she doesn't mind and since she lives in a very EXPENSIVE part of town, she was able to buy UP instead of across, which would have been incredibly out of range.

Go peek, and let us know!

 

[RadioNate]

my mom did, after nearly 20 years in the house I grew up in. I know she hasn't regretted it for a second. She is in a 3 unit building, corner unit, full basement (her's isn't finished but that was her choice). She has a little patio w/BBQ etc.

If I moved back to the area, I would consider it for my family.

 

[Sherri]

It does seem like the townhomes these days are really, really big.
When dh called to talk about plans for tonight, I ran it by him.
He said our taxes would go up quite a bit because we have not been reassesed in years. He did not seem open to the idea, but he wasn't 100% opposed to it either. If I see an open house there then I will have him look with me.
Thanks for all of the great input.

 

[FlyingBelle]

Try to talk to someone who lives there already. This way you can get an idea of what the "rules" are, how the management team responds to maintenance/other issues, how much the associate dues are, have they had (or will they be having) special assessments, how are the reserve funds, etc.

I've lived in several condos, duplexes, and townhomes and they've varied greatly. The last time we purchased we actually knocked on doors to meet the folks who lived there (told them we were interested in purchasing a unit and wanted to ask a few questions). So glad we did!