There are a couple different types of townhouses in Seattle and the Seattle suburbs - There are a lot of buyers out there that are very interested in townhomes so I want to touch on a couple different issues here.

Town homes can be classified as either residential or condominium depending on the development. 

What does this mean? 

 A residential townhouse is technically a zero lot line residential house while a condo townhouse is part of a condominium association. 

What does this mean for you the townhouse buyer?

With a residential townhome, you are responsible for all of the upkeep of the home just as if it were a normal stand alone house.  The perk of this?  No hefty homeowner dues (unless there is a small portion for a separate neighborhood association).  Homeowner dues for a condo townhouse association runs in the $200 - $400 range and sometimes cover things like water, sewer, earthquake insurance, common grounds upkeep, and exterior maintenance.  The association also keeps a reserve to cover major costs like repaving the parking lot, roof, etc.

I think there are pros and cons for both, but the affordability of your home can drastically hinge on the difference between homeowner dues or not. Being able to take hold of a good budgeting plan to save for roof, etc on a residential townhouse could be more financially attractive for some.  The ability to not worry about exterior maintenance and upkeep in a condo townhouse is also attractive for others.

Courtney Cooper ....For all your Seattle Washington Real Estate Needs! Seattle Area Real Estate Agent: Broker and Realtor serving North King & South Snohomish County.  Seattle Real Estate and Seattle Suburbs!  Cooper Jacobs Real Estate Services:   Experienced REALTOR with a background in accounting - I love my clients and work hard for them! Please call me if you are looking for a home or investment property (including short sales, preforeclosures, foreclosures, and REO properties) in Seattle (Ballard, Crown Hill, Phinney, Ravenna, Maple Leaf, Green Lake (Greenlake), Greenwood, Northgate, Lake City,University, Sand Point, Laurelhurst, Windermere, Fremont, Wallingford, Queen Anne, Westlake, Eastlake, Lake Union, Downtown, Madison Park), Shoreline, Edmonds, Brier, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mill Creek, Everett, or other Seattle Suburbs!

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