OK they both look like townhomes... they've got their own entrance, nobody above or below them, attached garage etc... yet one is a townhouse and the other is a condo.
What does it really mean? We use the term "townhouse" loosely to describe a style of attached home, yet in a more specific sense... in a true townhome you would own the land that the property sits on. Therefor you need true homeowners insurance, even though the exterior may be maintained by the association, you still need to insure your share of the structure.
This is a Townhome in Cinnamon Glen at Butterfield in Aurora Il
Condominium is a form of ownership. With a condominium association you own your unit but the association owns all of the exterior walls and the land it sits on too, you are part of the association so you are one of many owners. Typically you need insurance that is akin to renters insurance, since your monthly dues actually pay to insure the buildings.
A Condominium in the Woodlands at Oakhurst North in Aurora
As you can see, you can't always tell by looking. Obviously if it's a large building... you are probably dealing with a condo (or a co-op in some markets), but that's because the term Condo describes the ownership.
In our area we lump them all together and call them "single family attached homes" that seems to cover it
Manor homes & coach homes are also condominiums, just a pleasant sounding way to describe smaller buildings. These can easily be mistaken for townhouses.
To search for single family homes (whether they are attached or not... visit) Real Estate in Chicago's Western Suburbs where you'll have access to the full gamut of available properties in the area.
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