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Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400,     Long Island Condo and Home Specialists (The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803)

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Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Here in Charlotte it's a legal term. We have townhouse-style properties that legally are condos.

Jan 10, 2016 08:44 PM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

Whether it is a condo or townhouse is stated in the docs. Style is irrelevant

Jan 10, 2016 08:36 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,169
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

In our market, it is based on the form of ownership. 

Jan 10, 2016 09:09 PM
Rainmaker
911,338
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Condos can have more than one level here and you don't own the land. Townhouses can have 1 level or more. The main difference is in ownership, Condo Associations are much different than HOA's. Condo vs Fee Simple.

Jan 10, 2016 08:45 PM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

Townhouses here are buildings that share a common wall, but no units above or below them. 

Condos are much like what you would have for an apartment (except NY), but can be one, two or more floors. You only own what is inside your unit, inside the walls essentially. 

Both types, you usually pay for some type of exterior maintenance through HOA fees.

 

Michael Thacker - Louisville Realtor

Jan 10, 2016 08:37 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,283
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Condominium is the form of ownership in our area.

Condos and townhomes are more of a function of design/style 

While condos are typically one story, there are examples of multi-story units in my market area.  

Townhomes can have one or multiple story and typically have a garage in our market.  

 

 

Jan 10, 2016 10:39 PM
Rainmaker
140,768
Joan Dickie
Keller Williams Premier Realty - La Crosse, WI
Keller Williams Premier Realty

I think it depends on how they are set up in the legal docs.  I've seen stand a duplex called a condo and a multifamily called a townhouse.  Maybe state laws?

Jan 11, 2016 08:07 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

It is a form of ownership and can be one level or more and detached or attached. in pa.

Jan 11, 2016 05:08 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Here in Florida, the difference between a condo and townhouse legally is the way the association was incorporated.  

I live in a single family home, but it is legally a condo as our association was incorporated under condo documents.

Jan 11, 2016 03:51 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

They are legal descriptions.  A condo can be a townhome style condo meaning it is two stories.  Homeowners own the air space in a condo and in a townhome they own the land under the structure.

I'd say 50% of agents in my area don't know the difference and that is why they list a townhome style condo as a townhome.

Jan 11, 2016 01:25 AM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

A condo in Ontario is legally defined by provincial law.  There are many types of condos available and is a substantial portion of our building stock.  Condo and townhouse are not mutually exclusive.

Jan 10, 2016 10:55 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Call 631-805-4400 (c) Here they are based on they type of ownership.

Jan 10, 2016 10:34 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Here a condominium defines the type of ownership with a style being a townhouse, 2 or 3 stories built with units in a row, garden style all on 1 level, usually 3 floors of 1 level homes or detached, free standing not attached to another building and we have duplex which is usually a duplex turned into condos and most often only 2 units. each sold separate. 

Jan 10, 2016 09:32 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

That is a problem.

The PUBLIC has a faulty interpretation of the meaning of both.

The real estate agent risks being seen less than capable should they use the word CONDO to describe a dwelling that looks more like a single family home.

The reality is "CONDO' defines an instrument of ownership that can include any architectural style. 

Town house style properties here can be separated where the upstairs comprise one CONDO and downstairs a separate CONDO.

 

 

Jan 10, 2016 09:27 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,659
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Townhomes here are buildings that share a common wall, but no units above or below them and have HOA dues that can include exterior maintenance or not. Some builders are building condo regimes..separate single family resides and are fee simple (only way they could get permits to build). It does get confusing! Greg Cremia is right..the docs are the key that tells you what they are.

Jan 10, 2016 09:25 PM
Ambassador
6,393,609
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Few opportunities for either of these here.

Mar 28, 2019 08:53 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I have to do this face to face. The public just doesn't understand and gets easily confused.

Nov 20, 2016 07:43 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,554
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

The legal description of the home determines what it is.  Lot & Block would be a townhome, and if Condo is in the description - it is a condo. 

Jan 11, 2016 11:48 PM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Larry and Sheila - Interesting how the definition of a Condo and Townhouse are different based on where you live. I wouldn't have thought that would have made any difference.

Jan 11, 2016 06:31 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Call 631-805-4400 (c). I would say it this way, all townhouses are condos, but not all condos are townhouses.

Jan 11, 2016 05:48 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Call 631-805-4400 (c) we have the same definition here in MA....

Jan 11, 2016 03:43 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

It's the same here.  condos are 1 level and townhouses have 2 levels.

Jan 11, 2016 11:42 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

There are two meanings to condo.  One is a unit that is attached with someone above or below your unit.  The second is a project built on lot with an average size of less than 4,000 square feet in which everyone in the community shares ownership of a common area and may have community amenities.

A Town Home could be one or two stories as long as there is no one above or below your unit.

Jan 11, 2016 08:39 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

WE are townhomes one level and condo's multi level

Jan 11, 2016 04:25 AM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

The root question is whether you are buying dirt and improvements (called a townhouse, patio home, zero lot line, etc.) or just air space (condo).

Jan 11, 2016 02:43 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,705
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Most cases is one level condo if someone is below or above you.

Jan 11, 2016 01:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

MLS-wise agents tend to do what you mention, base it on architectural style. Although I'll only call a Townhouse such, if you own the land underneath it, as that is one of the true differences between a townhome and a multi-level condo. I live in a Townhome, I own my garage and my lot/yard space and I'm more responsible for interior matters; except caused by "HOA" roof issues.

Jan 11, 2016 12:37 AM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Ken Jones has this one covered.

Jan 11, 2016 12:27 AM
Rainmaker
432,957
Shanna Hall
Real Estate Solutions - Kirkwood, MO
I love selling houses!!!St. Louis, MO 314-703-1311

If it has steps inside the unit it is a townhouse;)

Jan 10, 2016 11:37 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

that's the same in Massachusetts....

Jan 10, 2016 10:59 PM
Rainmaker
564,720
Women of Westchester Working Together
Women of Westchester Working Together - West Harrison, NY
Women helping Women get ahead

Yes, that's exactly how I think about it here in Westchester, too.

Jan 10, 2016 10:57 PM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Yecnically it depends on how the land is handled. a Town Home has a separate lot and block under it even though the covenants and restrictions along with the HOA is condo oriented. Condos have common land ownership and that depends on the size of the unit. This is how we define it in OKC.

Jan 10, 2016 10:14 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Own the land or not.

Private entry or not.

We have 2-story condos where you don't own the land so it's pretty confusing to buyers that's for sure. 

OK, in my area let's make it more confusing - throw in coach homes/manor homes which are condos essentially. 4 to a building, 2 upper & 2 lower with a 1 car garage. 

Jan 10, 2016 09:58 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

In Texas if you own a condo you don't own the land.  If  you own a townhouse you do own the land.

Jan 10, 2016 09:32 PM
Rainmaker
1,197,152
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

In Florida, it depends how the developer set it up.  You own more of a town home than a condo.  Hoa fees are less for a town home and don't included insurance.  

Jan 10, 2016 09:03 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

At the beach (OC, NJ ) we have condos at various levels - lower and upper units .

Jan 10, 2016 08:53 PM