Townhouses and Condominiums

 

Townhouses and condominiums are often confused.  This is because a townhouse can be fee simple ownership like a house but can also be a condominium.  This is because a townhouse is a "style" and not a type of ownership.  A condominium is a type of ownership whether it is a flat as in a garden style (1-3 story buildings), or a midrise (4-5 story buildings) a highrise (over a 5 story tower) or a townhouse. 

 

A townhouse fee simple usually has a tract of land as wide as the unit and can share one or two walls with its neighbors.  The HOA (home owner's association) is established because it is in a subdivision known as a PUD (planned unit development).  This fee can maintain the common elements and services like a SFR detached dwelling as well as coverage for walls shared with neighbors.   

 

A condominium ownership is another type of fee simple.  The owner owns the inside of the unit and shares ownership of the outside walls, common areas, services and shared walls with neighbors which are paid for in a manditory HOA.