Find the type of home that fits you to a “T”

Homeownership has long been hailed as the “American Dream.”  Cue up the mental picture of a two-story home with front porch and a white picket fence wrapping around a perfectly manicured yard.  And this home might be the perfect fit for those who enjoy yardwork and need ample interior space.  But that’s not for everyone, the thought of weekends spent mowing the grass, unclogging gutters and painting fences might make other future homeowners’ quake in their boots.

It’s important when buying a new home to do the appropriate amount of research to ensure that your choice will perfectly suit your needs and preferences.  Before you start shopping, you should sit down with the members of your household to discuss what is important for your new home to have and features you may like to have. It is also critical to establish your price range and determine how much you can afford to pay for a monthly mortgage (these mortgage calculators will help).

Keep yourself on track and organized by writing the individual features you want on a notecard and then arrange the cards in order of their priority to you.  As an example, if cooking is your passion, you may want a home with a large, well-equipped kitchen. Or you may settle for a small kitchen, so that you can have extra space for a library, office, or computer room. Some home buyers seek large and flexible open interior spaces, while others prefer traditional rooms that afford more privacy. Some choose homes with large yards. Some opt for townhomes or condominiums where they can avoid yard maintenance and spend their time pursuing other activities.

As you search for your new home, consider if your lifestyle and needs are likely to change in the foreseeable future. If you anticipate that space might be a concern and you plan to add rooms,
find out if your homesite is large enough to accommodate expansion, and whether additions are permitted by governing entities like your neighborhoods HOA.

The good news for potential homebuyers is that buyers currently have more choices in home styles than ever before, from the traditional single-family home to a condominium in an urban high-rise, or a townhome nestled next to a neighborhood pool and park.

Determining which style of home is the best fit for you depends on your lifestyle. If you’re end-goal is to spend your Saturdays holding a tennis racket instead of a weed-eater, a condo or townhome will suit you best. On the other hand, if the idea of having neighbors close enough to bump into when you step outside your front door doesn’t appeal, a single-family home might be the way to go.

Prior to embarking on your home shopping tour, it is important to understand the difference between single-family homes, condos and townhomes.

Single-family homes typically stand alone and are not attached to another residence.  As such, the homeowner owns the house, the land on which it sits and everything on the land that falls within the property boundaries.

Single-family homes entail an inherent amount of responsibility as it is up to the homeowner to maintain both the interior and exterior of the house.  This also extends to the yard and anything else on the property, such as a fence or tool shed. A few single-family neighborhoods, usually those where the homes are on very small lots, will offer front-yard maintenance through the homeowners’ association.

Condominiums are individual units that make up a larger building.  When you purchase a condominium, you own just what’s inside the walls.  You don’t own the ground underneath your condo, since many condo buildings are several stories tall and what is underneath may be another home. The homeowners’ association maintains the exterior of a condominium building, including any common areas, such as hallways, parking areas or tennis courts.


Townhomes are also considered multi-family housing, because several homes are attached to one another. Townhomes have a similar ownership structure to condos, except that you own the inside walls and the ground underneath your home.  The homeowners’ association owns and maintains the exterior of the building, as well as all the common property surrounding your townhome.

For many homeowners, not having to spend their weekends clipping hedges or cleaning out the pool makes buying a townhome or condominium an ideal choice. Others, particularly seniors, or those who live alone, feel more secure in a multi-unit dwelling, knowing that neighbors are as close as the other side of the wall.  Still, for some homeowners, especially those with children, there’s nothing like a single-family home with a yard and some room to spread out.  Townhomes and condos also are often more affordable than single-family homes, although prices can range from $200,000 to more than $1 million plus in some upscale, urban developments.

As you start your new home search and decide on the type of home you want, it’s a good idea to spend some time thinking about your lifestyle and whether you’d be happiest in a townhome or condo, or in a single-family home. Today, both are available with so many options and features you won’t be limited by either choice.

 

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Thank you for reading and sharing our articles from The Greater Charleston New Homes Guide. Our business is to know Charleston, SC's new home construction, home builders, neighborhoods, and homes so we may assist you as you take your new construction home journey. Please take the time to explore our site. The Greater Charleston New Homes Guide is considered the best and most reliable ‘local’ resource to new home construction, builders, neighborhoods, and homes throughout the Lowcountry since 2004.

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