By Mike Bodeen · 30 January 2017
I’m writing about townhomes this week because I sold one last week in south Phoenix and I’m about to sell one in North Phoenix which I showed to a young man this past Saturday. The builder is the same, D.R. Horton Homes.
I’ve always liked the townhome concept, which when I mention that word, some may ask the question, what exactly is a townhome?
It’s a great question because most buyers and even real estate agents could not definitively answer the question. And I’m sure that some might take issue with my own definition, though a quick google search will mostly validate mine. When I say townhome, think “row” housing. Think multi-story. Think shared walls.
Don’t think condo! A condo is like an apartment with folks above you, below you and next to you. In a condo, the owner owns the airspace within the unit and shares everything else “in common” with the other condo owners. The very practical difference between condos and townhomes is privacy and parking. The privacy part is obvious, but the parking part is much different. With most condo complexes, all parking is at best in a carport. Often you’re assigned one covered parking and one open space with no covering.
The best townhomes have attached garages below the unit that is accessible from inside the unit. Like most condo projects, common area townhouse amenities include community pools and spa, some tennis, clubhouse, workout rooms, etc. And most are gated.
On Saturday I showed two different D.R. Horton communities. One was located in North Phoenix just south of Happy Valley Road and east of the #17. This is known as Villagio at Happy Valley. This community began around 2006-2007 and got caught in the downturn after starting fast and furious. The other community is off of Cave Creek Road known as Pinnacle at Desert Peak.
Villagio at Happy Valley is currently building new homes in the community and I was quite impressed with the energy efficient units they were building, plus “double wall” construction between units further increasing sound privacy.
Another prominent local infill townhome builder is “Homes by Towne.” They are likewise providing a good townhome product. I sold one of these units last year in Cave Creek and my client and friend loves it – and he’s still my friend.
Townhomes usually have restrictions prohibiting short term rentals – less than 6 months. This is a good idea as it tends to strengthen a community. Some may say, “yea, but you might get too many renters in the community.” Yes, but that’s why a townhome community is especially nice as it provides a more long term feeling of community and the HOA cares for the common areas. When my young client Zach and I walked through Pinnacle at Desert Peak on Saturday, we spoke with a neighbor who was renting a home in there. She was strolling her young son and had nothing but great things to say about the community.
My guess is that townhome communities will continue to be sought after by singles and young families alike. Oldsters would also like these communities except that you’ve got stairs in the home. Apart from that, not too much downside.
Let us know if you know of anyone looking for entry-level housing – these units are a great starter home.