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5 House Types in Oshawa, Ontario - Townhouses

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Real Estate Sales Representative

5 Types of Homes in Oshawa, Ontario

Townhouses

 

The variety of home types in Oshawa can be confusing and, just to be difficult, there are variations within the house types.

 

The information set out in this article also applies to:

·    house types in Clarington

·    house types in Whitby

·    house types in Ajax

·    house types in Pickering

and most other cities and communities within the South Durham Region of Ontario.

 

The 5 major home types in these areas are:

·    Detached Houses

·    Link Houses

·    Semi-Detached Houses

·    Townhouses

·    Condominium Apartments (Condos)

 

This Article Discusses Townhouses.

 picture of a group of attached row townhouses

Townhouses:

Townhouses are an excellent compromise between the higher cost of a detached home and the lower cost of a condominium apartment.

 

However, there are many variations of a townhouse and, if you are interested in buying one, it is vital that you understand what your commitments would be with regard to the townhouse that you are considering.

 

The three main Townhouse types in the Cities of Oshawa, Whitby, Clarington, Ajax and Pickering are:

1.     Attached Row Townhouse (also known as Freehold Townhouse)

2.     Condominium Townhouse

3.     Common Elements Townhouse

 

Attached Row Townhouse (Freehold Townhouse)

photo of a freehold townhouseAn Attached Row Townhouse is one of three, or more, dwellings joined, usually side by side, but not having any other dwellings either above or below.

 

Attached Row Townhouses are the simplest form of townhouse.

 

They are also known as Freehold Townhouses because the owner has freehold title to the whole property and there is no condominium corporation involved.

 

An advantage of an attached row townhouse over a condo townhouse is that the owner of the attached row townhouse has total control over his dwelling unit and the land to which that owner has title.

 

As there is no condominium corporation, there are no condo fees payable by the owner and there are no by-laws which have to be observed.

 

A disadvantage is that each owner can do what they want with the appearance of their own property. They can change materials, colours, replace the roof with different materials than the adjoining properties.

 

This is similar to the position of an owner of a semi-detached home as mentioned in my article about Semi-Detached Homes.

 

This contrasts with the condo townhouse where by-laws usually control the appearance of each townhouse in the row.

 

Most modern attached row townhouses have a single garage forming part of the dwelling.

 

picture of a group of condo townhousesCondominium Townhouse

Some townhouses are built as part of a development where each dwelling unit has more than one level but the title is very similar to a condominium apartment:

·     The building envelope, and common elements, are under the control of the condominium corporation which is responsible for all external maintenance of the building and common elements

·     If there is a garden area attached to a townhome, it may not be part of the title of that townhome. It could be either part of the common elements or exclusive use of the area could be allocated to the adjourning townhome under the by-laws of the condominium corporation

·    It is important for a buyer of a condo townhouse to know, and understand, exactly what condo fees are payable to the condominium corporation and what those fees cover

 

For more detailed information on Condominium Corporations and the rights and obligations of Unit Owners.

 

 

Townhouse with Common Elements

A Townhouse with Common Elements is another variation of the condo townhouse where the individual townhouses are owned as freehold title, as for an attached row townhouse, but where the townhouses front onto a street, or lane, which is owned and controlled by a condominium corporation, not by the City.

 

photo of a group of townhouses with common elementsThe group of townhouses on the right appear to be Attached Row Townhouses. But they are not!

 

They are Townhouses with Common Elements because the road is owned and maintained by a Condominium Corporation which also collects the garbage and arranges the snow clearing.

 

In these circumstances, the condominium corporation is responsible for the maintenance of the street, street lighting, garbage collection and snow removal.

In turn, the individual townhouse owners are responsible for payment of maintenance levies.

 

The individual owners are responsible for maintenance and repair of their individual townhouses including all external features including roofing.

 

As indicated above, there are many variations of a townhouse and, if you are interested in buying one, it is vital that you understand exactly what type of townhouse it is and what your rights, and obligations, would be with regard to the townhouse that you are considering.

 

Find Attached Houses for Sale in Oshawa, Whitby, Clarington, Ajax & Pickering, Ontario

 

image of a magnifying glass over housesYOU ARE INVITED to visit my website, at any time and as often as you like, to find pictures & details of homes for sale.

 

For photos and details of attached homes currently for sale:

 

Attached Homes in Pickering

 

Attached Homes in Ajax

 

Attached Homes in Whitby

 

Attached Homes in Oshawa

 

Attached Homes in Clarington

 

You can also arrange to be notified when homes, that meet your criteria, come onto the market.

These services are available to you without obligation.

 

image of looking at home valueIf you are thinking of selling, you can also:

ü Search on my website for homes, similar to yours, that would be competition for your home, if you list it for sale

ü Obtain an indication of the market value of your home

  

For answers to your questions, email me; or call 905-723-5944.

 

About the Author:

photo of Brian WisemanBrian Wiseman LL.B., CIPS, is a Sales Representative with Keller Williams Energy Real Estate Brokerage in Ajax & , Ontario, Canada.

 

In his past lives, Brian was a Partner in Legal Practices, specializing in Real Estate and Business Law (not in Family Law!) in Australia and a Principal of a successful Financial Planning Practice in Australia.

 

After the sale of his business interests in Australia, Brian started a new adventure by relocating to Canada with his Canadian wife.

 

He is particularly interested in relationships in real estate:

ü when 2 or more are purchasing a property;

ü when a relationship has ended and the home is to be sold – see The Future Focus Method

 

Brian has completed a basic intensive training course in Dr. William Glasser’s Choice Theory Psychology, upon which The Future Focus Method is based.

 

Brian is not authorized to give legal advice or financial planning services in Canada.

 

He is not authorized to provide marriage counselling.

  

He IS AUTHORIZED to provide real estate advice in Ontario.

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