Buying a Townhouse? 5 Useful Things to Consider Before Buying a Townhouse

Buying a Townhouse

By Heidi Sarna

If you’re thinking about buying a townhouse, there are many things to consider before you bite the bullet as they say.

There are all of the more obvious things to noodle on. How many bedrooms and bathrooms are there? How many floors? Do you like the neighborhood? And of course, can you afford it!

Having recently bought a townhouse in Virginia, I also know there are some other factors that to take into account. Things that may seem minor. Or that small features that you may completely overlook when buying a townhouse because you just didn’t realize they could become issues, or on the positive side, attributes that make the house more valuable.

Which way does your stoop face?

This is something I didn’t focus on until after we bought our townhouse. Luckily our outside stairs face toward a nearby river, which we like seeing every time we come and go.

Another thing we didn’t home in on when we considering buying a townhouse, is did our front stoop face directly towards a neighbor’s stairs. Maybe not a deal breaker, but I’m glad our stairs don’t face directly into our neighbors, gives us both a bit more privacy this way.

Maybe not a deal breaker, but do factor in the direction your stoop faces. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Where is the sun rising and setting?

If one side of your townhouse is facing smack dab into the sun, without being shaded by trees or other buffers, that side of your house will get very hot. I’ve heard of windows cracking and breaking because the afternoon sun was beating down so strongly on the back of the townhouse. If this may be issue, you can consider adding a retractable canopy over your windows, if this is something that is permitted by your home owners association (if your townhouse is part of one).

Is there roof access?

Our real estate broker was great in so many ways, but there were a few things she didn’t mention before we bought our townhouse. Positive things. Later, I found it curious she hadn’t mentioned them. I certainly will if we ever sell our townhouse.

One of them is roof access; our townhouse does have roof access. This great for setting up some chairs and a table for enjoying sunsets and views of the nearby river. It’s like another room. It’s definitely a selling point to have this option, to hang out on your roof.

Some townhouses have peaked roofs without any flat areas, so it would be impossible to have a patio area up on your roof.

Roof access is always a plus when considering buying a townhouse. * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Is there a bright street lamp shining in your bedroom windows?

In our complex, there are bright street lamps positioned along the road in front of our townhouse. And also at the back, along the communal parking area. If they happen to be positioned near your townhouse. Or shining directly into your bedroom windows, that’s a bummer. Just keep in mind, if you like to sleep with the blinds or curtains open for the “natural light,” you will may also get the bringing flood lights from the street lighting.

Is there bright street or parking area light shining into your bedrooms? * Photo: Heidi Sarna

Hope you found my tips helpful if you’re considering buying a townhouse sometime in the future.

Good luck!

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