{"id":3326,"date":"2022-12-15T17:24:55","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T17:24:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.wahi.com\/ca\/en\/?p=3326"},"modified":"2025-04-07T16:16:50","modified_gmt":"2025-04-07T16:16:50","slug":"is-buying-a-condo-or-townhouse-worth-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wahi.com\/ca\/en\/learning-centre\/real-estate-101\/buy\/condo-vs-townhouse","title":{"rendered":"Is Buying a Condo or Townhouse Worth It?"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”95%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”||-24px||false|false” custom_padding=”55px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Real Estate 101″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjcyMiJ9fQ==@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”Buy” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”link_option_url” _module_preset=”default” link_option_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjE2MzIifX0=@” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][wahi_breadcrumb-link title=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIn19@” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”title” _module_preset=”default” module_text_color=”#686E6E” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_breadcrumb-link][\/wahi_breadcrumb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”3.5rem” header_line_height=”4.5rem” header_font_size_tablet=”42px” header_font_size_phone=”3rem” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_line_height_tablet=”4.5rem” header_line_height_phone=”3.2rem” header_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90aXRsZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7ImJlZm9yZSI6IjxoMT4iLCJhZnRlciI6IjwvaDE+In19@[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”1px||1px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][wahi_socialsharing _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/wahi_socialsharing][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.5em” custom_margin=”||10px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

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From maintenance costs to appreciation to affordability, we do a deep dive into the pros and cons of owning a condo versus a townhouse versus a house.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”1.13rem” text_line_height=”1.18rem” custom_margin=”||5px|||” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]By Emily Southey<\/a> | 10 minute read[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_title title=”off” author=”off” date_format=”M j” categories=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||32px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_image src=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9mZWF0dXJlZF9pbWFnZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”src” _module_preset=”default” border_radii=”on|32px|32px|32px|32px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Prospective homebuyers have many options when it comes to buying a home. Beyond which property to buy, they must first decide what type of property they are most interested in. Three of the most common types of homes today are condos, townhouses, and houses. Below, we break down the pros and cons of each to help you decide which one makes the most sense for you, your lifestyle, and your real estate<\/a> goals.<\/p>\n

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Condos<\/h2>\n

A condominium (condo for short) is a unit within a larger community, often a highrise building. One of the most popular types of homes for homebuyers, condos are generally considered to be the lowest maintenance. For this reason, they are often well-suited to first-time homebuyers, retired homeowners, single homeowners, or people who travel frequently. Condos might look similar to apartments in that many distinct units make up a building and walls are shared between neighbours. However, there is one key distinction between condos and apartments, which is that condos are owned and apartments are rented.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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As mentioned, condominiums require the least amount of maintenance, as it is the responsibility of the condo association to handle the day-to-day management of the property. From a leaky roof to a broken communal swimming pool, general maintenance and repairs are taken care of by the condo association. Of course, to cover these costs condo owners pay Homeowner Association (HOA) or condo fees. In addition, condo associations can have strict rules, regarding everything from pets and renovations to tenants. That said, the convenience of owning a condo outweighs the extra cost of limitations for many. In addition to the management of the property being taken care of, condo owners may also get to enjoy all kinds of amenities, such as a 24\/7 concierge, fitness centre, sauna, cinema, swimming pool, and more.<\/p>\n

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The Pros and Cons of Buying a Condo<\/h2>\n

We outline the pros and cons of buying a condo below.<\/p>\n

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Pro: Luxurious amenities<\/b><\/h3>\n

A major pro of buying a condo is the amenities they offer. Many condo buildings, especially newer ones, include all kinds of luxurious amenities that make living in a condo much more enjoyable. Examples of popular condo building amenities include swimming pools, saunas, fitness rooms, cinemas, rooftop terraces, garbage pickup, snow removal, and a 24\/7 concierge.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Pro: Proximity to urban areas<\/b><\/h3>\n

Another perk of buying a condo is that they might allow homeowners, especially first-time homeowners, to purchase a property closer to a city centre. As urban areas tend to be more expensive, buying a condo might be your only option if you want to live downtown. While purchasing a house in a major city might be unaffordable, buying a condo might not be. Therefore, buying a condo may not only give you access to city living but condos in urban areas tend to appreciate faster than condos in suburbs, increasing your odds of turning a profit when it comes time to sell.\u00a0<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#edf7f3″ global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#38505b” header_2_font_size=”2.63rem” header_2_line_height=”3.75rem” max_width=”800px” module_alignment=”center” header_2_font_size_tablet=”32px” header_2_font_size_phone=”27px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_line_height_tablet=”3.75rem” header_2_line_height_phone=”32px” header_2_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

“A major pro of buying a condo is the amenities they offer. Many condo buildings, especially newer ones, include all kinds of luxurious amenities that make living in a condo much more enjoyable.”<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”21px” text_line_height=”1.6em” header_2_font=”||||||||” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_2_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font_size=”1.25rem” header_3_line_height=”1.88rem” header_4_font=”|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”1.25rem” header_4_line_height=”1.88rem” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Pro: Low maintenance<\/b><\/h3>\n

The third benefit of buying a condo is how convenient and low maintenance they are. The condo association is responsible for general maintenance and upkeep, which means you can reap the benefits of owning a property without the hassle of managing it.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

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Pro: Added security<\/b><\/h3>\n

Finally, the added security that condos offer can be a significant pro for homeowners. Many condo buildings have 24-hour concierges or security personnel, as well as locked entrances and elevators. These features provide a higher degree of safety and security that simply does not exist with townhouses or single-family homes.<\/p>\n

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Con: Condo association rules<\/b><\/h3>\n

The main con of buying a condo is the condo association rules. As mentioned these can be strict, and homeowners might find it frustrating to have to abide by them. For example, condo owners may be required to obtain permission from the condo association to make changes to a unit, to get a pet, or to rent out their unit to a tenant. If the association were to deny any of these requests, the homeowners may have little recourse.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Townhouses<\/h2>\n

Moving on to townhouses. Townhouses are generally less expensive than single-family homes but may be more expensive than condos. They are also larger than a typical condo, though they often share exterior walls with neighbouring homes, much like a condo. Townhouses may feature small front and backyards or patios, which offer a slice of outdoor living that is atypical of condominiums. Further, like condos, townhouses usually come with HOA rules and fees, though these rules may be less strict, giving a townhouse owner a little more autonomy than the average condo owner. Generally speaking, the older the townhouse development, the more expensive the maintenance fees are. Overall, a townhouse is a cross between a condo and a standard house, which to some homeowners is the best of both worlds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The Pros and Cons of Buying a Townhouse<\/h2>\n

Here are some of the pros and cons of buying a townhouse:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Pro: Greater autonomy<\/b><\/h3>\n

Townhouse owners have more freedom to make changes to their properties than condo owners. Plus, in the case of a detached townhouse, owners can alter both the interiors and exteriors of the home.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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