Fremont Townhomes:
A Fremont townhouse may be just what you're looking for.
The new kid in town
Seattle is experiencing an explosion in the construction of a new type of home, the townhouse. Get the answers to common questions about new Seattle townhomes and why the townhouse is such a popular choice for today’s Seattle home buyer:
- What is a townhouse?
- Why are townhomes sprouting up around town?
- How does a townhouse fits today’s modern Seattle lifestyle?
- What kind of outdoor spaces are typical?
- What architectural styles are available?
- Are there homeowners dues?
What is a Townhouse?
A townhome is like a single family home in that you own the land under your feet (unlike with a condo). The main difference between a townhouse and a single family home is that a townhome shares a common wall with another townhouse. Townhomes are a traditional style of architecture from Britian. The wealthy gentry from country estates owned townhouses in the center of the city to live in during the social season. Townhomes are historically located in high density areas.
Today home buyers in Seattle have a variety of townhouse styles and locations to choose from. Here is some information that may help you decide if a Seattle townhouse is right for you.
Why are Townhomes Sprouting up Around Town?
Townhomes are very popular with Seattle home buyers who want to live in a great neighborhood at an affordable price. The two components of real estate pricing are land costs and structure costs. Naturally, a large parcel of land in a desirable neighborhood would make the price unreachable for many buyers. But, if you split the parcel between townhomes, more buyers are able to live in the area.
The demand for affordable housing close to Downtown Seattle makes the option of townhouse living a logical choice. It is also the goal of the City of Seattle to add density to the city core so that traffic can be improved by more people living closer to work.
Modern lifestyles
Many buyers shopping for single family homes in Seattle that are still within an affordable price are a bit shocked to see the lack of bathrooms, outdated kitchens, and often no parking. For the price of a “fixer” home, today’s townhome buyers can get a modern floor plan with an open kitchen, state-of-the-art systems, a private garage, fashionable appliances and energy efficiency. Townhome buyers appreciate the low maintenance and ease townhome living offers. You won’t be spending your free time with an endless list of home repairs. Your weekends can be spent grilling and not drilling.
Outdoor spaces
Typically, a Seattle townhome includes a private yard. This gives you space to grow your tomatoes and let the dog run around, although you may want to think Pug and not Great Dane. Fencing and landscaping is usually provided by the builder, which is another cost savings.
Many townhomes also have decks off living, dining, or bedrooms, plus a real garage that will double as a storage area. Builders keep in mind how we live today and the architecture reflects modern trends.
Townhouse Architecture
There are many builders creating a variety of townhouse styles in Seattle. However, you will notice common design elements including multiple stories and vertical orientation. Townhomes usually have the entrance on the ground floor and do not have basements. The garage and one bedroom may also be on the ground floor. Usually there will be stairs to upper levels with bedrooms, kitchen and living areas. The majority of Seattle townhomes are 3 levels above the street with some having roof decks. Prices can range from the mid $300,000 up to over a million. Naturally, the square footage, views, and neighborhoods influence pricing.
Is a Townhouse right for me?