SFH to Townhouse

[Anonymous]

We have a SFH and thinking of selling and buying a townhouse instead. The upkeep on the SFH is a lot of work (especially the yard) and it gets expensive to outsource all that work on a regular basis. We have two preschool aged children. The main advantage of the SFH is not having all the stairs. However, we're seriously thinking that for us a SFH is not worth of the money, work and all the effort. Also, our house was built in the early 70s so it would nice to live in a place that is more modern and recently built. We've also spent about 30K in renovations which we wouldn't get back so that would definately be a loss. However, we could still afford to buy a townhouse if we sold the SFH. Curious to hear what your thoughts are if you have moved from a SFH to a townhouse.

[Anonymous]

Location? I think there are things you would miss about a single family home. Do you have parking now? Would you in a townhouse? How about a garage? Storage space? Do your kids use the yard? Maybe a SFH with a smaller yard would be better, or put in some low maintenance plants/bushes so you only need to mow every week or two.

[Anonymous]

Agree that the best thing about buying a TH vs a SFH is that--assuming you want to live close in to DC proper--you can typically afford the same amount of sq footage as a SFH and yet cut your commute. You can also afford to buy closer to walkable amenities. The amount of upkeep in terms of time and money also tends to be less. The downside, of course, is that you are sharing at least one wall with a neighbor. If the walls are thin and/or your neighbors are loud, it can make for a pretty miserable experience (we lived next door to a woman whose dog and cat constantly fought each other).

[Anonymous]

We are moving from a SFH in the burbs to a TH in a more urban walkable setting. We have a pre-school aged child and may have another in a year or so.

we got tired of the SFH upkeep and the commute was terrible. We should cut our commute in half and we'll also be near things we can walk to, instead of always having tog et into the car. The biggest thing for us is knowing that our preschooler likes to be out and about - he's not a homebody and so being able to walk to the park or the grocery store will be adventure for him.

My biggest concerns right now are getting used to vertical living - we're going from two stories to four. It'll be an adjustment, but we're excited and looking forward to all the walkable amenities and also cutting down on our utilities.

[Anonymous]

We are also moving from a large (4000 sf) SFH to a (2000 sf) TH. We are at a different point in our family that many others -- we have 3 teenagers, one already in college and another leaving in a couple of years. We were sick of all the upkeep on our home and yard, disliked the longer commute, and frankly needed to downsize our housing costs to be able to afford college for 3 kids. So a townhouse it is for us. We are packing to move now, and I'm ruthlessly getting rid of half our stuff to accomodate our new, smaller footprint. We will miss certain things about our house, but I'm thinking it will be a good change for us.

[Anonymous]

We are in the same shoes. I think it will be a challenge to go down 3-4 flights of stairs every morning to get to the car. The lack of privacy as well as the inability to just go outside and let the kids ride their bikes/scooters on the sidewalks. I'm not thrilled about it, but the location convenience, easy maintenance, and community pool are incentives. Where are looking on moving to? We're looking in Vienna.

[Anonymous]

We are in a 3300 sq foot close-in new-build TH. The SFH alt at the same price and location would have been half the size and old with need of major regular maintenance. No regrets.

I hear folks making gripes about noise, but might be in an issue with poorly insulated THs as this can be a complete nonissue with good build these days. We are at a corner unit, but even on the shared wall, we literally have never heard a sound, even with a teenager next door.

[Anonymous]

Shared walls. That would be my biggest concern. DH and i lived in a TH before moving to a SFH and we could hear our neighbors or our neighbors could hear us.

You have much less privacy given the close proximity.

I would consider an end unit only.

[Anonymous]

My instinctive response is that moving to a TH from a SFH with preschoolers is penny-wise but pound foolish. Where are they going to ride bikes? In the parking area? Where are they going to throw balls? You'll say that there is a beautiful park right down the street but, at least for the next few years, you'll have to be prepared to escort them to said park while they play. That's not always convenient when you're just trying to get laundry done or clean the bathrooms. Yes, it takes upkeep to have a lawn but what does that mean, really? 40 minutes every week to mow and sticking a sprinkler out on it? You never promised anyone a rose garden. Plus, those are the moments when kids learn how to plant little flowers, how to empty the mower bag, they look for worms while you're mowing and you all end up spending some good time together throughout the 40 minutes.

I also think sharing walls with neighbors when you have young children would be a major PITA. Every fight, noise, temper tantrum, or nightmare might be heard and hated by your neighbors (or vice-versa). This also goes for dragging groceries and kids through a parking area and up a bunch of steps to get everything inside. Now, if you get a TH with a garage, that problem would be alleviated. Finally, what about the deck/balcony? They are usually right up against each other and not enjoyable at all. Do you want your neighbors out their smoking and drinking right next to your kids while you're just trying to grill some burgers?

For the PP that has high school children and is downsizing, I think it makes for a wonderful idea. Your children are almost grown and already into their various activities. They don't hang out and ride bikes or play catch in the yard anymore (or if they do, they can take themselves to the park down the street).

Call me cranky but that's my .02

[Anonymous]

Think about the transaction costs of such a move, money you'll spend on agents and fees and so on. Money you'll never get back.
Now take that pool of money and hire a lawn service and enjoy your single family home with no steps.

[Anonymous]

We seriously considered going from a SFH to a TH just to move to the location we wanted. Stairs aren't an issue for us - we are up & down in our homes all of the time anyway. We ultimately decided not to do it - and went with a SFH with smaller sq ft than the TH - just because the THs we were considering had ZERO storage. OK - one measly closet under the stairs. Wouldn't work for us - fortunately the SFH has a bunch of unfinished space we can use for storage.

Anyway, it definitely can be an option if it meets your needs better (location, etc.). If maintenance is truly the only issue, then you should try out a handy man and lawn service, etc. to help with the little stuff. See if that removes some of the burden.