I recently talked to a woman about selling her home. Before we met she gave me her address and I pulled up the photos to the right from the MLS…thought it looked like a nice two-story house.
Upon further investigation I found that although it looks like a two-story house…and although the tax records give it the same classification as a house…it is technically a detached townhouse. Why? Because it is part of an association. Lots are smaller than typical suburban lots (about the size of a city lot) and an association takes care of trash removal, snow removal and lawn care, and outside maintenance.
What makes this hard when searching for a home is that it is hard to classify for buyer searches. Most buyers searching for a townhome aren't looking for properties that look like this one…they may think it is a mistake if it pops up. And most buyers specifically looking for detached townhomes may also think it is a mistake because most of them are one-story…although this home has both master bedroom suite and laundry on the main floor so it qualifies as one-level living.
As a result, you will find properties like this one sometimes classified as 'two-story' single family houses and sometimes classified as 'detached' townhouses in the MLS. They fall between the classification cracks. They are great for someone who wants a home with no shared walls but doesn't need a big yard…and doesn't want to deal with snow removal and lawn care.
They most often appeal to young professionals and 'empty nesters'. If this kind of property is of interest to you, include both townhomes and single family homes in your search…they could show up in either place. If you have a Realtor setting up searches for you they can specify 'detached' townhomes to narrow the townhome search…and can filter house searches by selecting properties with monthly/quarterly association fees or including lawn care/snow removal. If you want a bedroom and laundry on the main level there is also search criteria for that in both house and townhouse categories.
Detached townhomes are great options for buyers who want the privacy of no shared walls, the lower cost of smaller lots, and freedom from snow removal and lawn care…unfortunately, not everyone knows about them.
