Meet in the middle: the appeal of attached homes

With the current trend towards downsizing, square footage might be shrinking, but the appeal of attached homes is on the rise for several reasons.

1. Balance
"The best of both worlds" is something we often seek but rarely find. Attached homes offer exactly that, with detached-home benefits like a garage and ample space, complemented by the low-maintenance lifestyle of an apartment-style condo.

"Covered, secure parking is a big draw, especially during Calgary winters," said Justin Castelino, marketing manager for Brookfield Residential. "Not having to worry about shovelling or mowing really appeals, especially if you travel a lot for work or spend winters down south."

2. Lower costs and maintenance fees
Though attached residences like townhomes might still have maintenance fees, they tend to be much lower than those of an apartment-style condo.

"One client owned a $459,000 condo with $526/month fees," said Jordan Lotoski, a REALTOR® with RE/MAX House of Real Estate. "He actually moved into an attached home that was more money, but with $150 condo fees. He'd rather put his money into the mortgage than monthly fees, so the move just made sense."

With duplexes, buyers can sometimes find a fee-simple scenario where they incur no monthly costs in exchange for handling their own maintenance and upkeep.

3. Options
At one time, buyers of attached homes might have had fewer choices for layouts and customization options, but those days are over.

"Layouts range from a simplistic infill to a full open concept," said Lotoski. "For home design, there's everything from modern farmhouse, to Scandinavian, to ultra-modern."

"This isn't just a housing type for a first-time buyer or downsizer," said Castelino. "They offer a wide array of layouts. For people who want to avoid stairs, there are single-level townhomes that are more like bungalows. There are two- and three-bedroom properties for families, and ones with two master suites, so if you have older children at home you can each have your own space. The products are so diverse now in terms of what they offer, so an attached home can satisfy a lot of needs."

A townhome might be for you if...

"...you're seeking the right amount of space for the right price – especially if you're coming out of an apartment-style condo or coming down from a single-family home," said Justin Castelino, marketing manager for Brookfield Residential. "You can combine ample living space with the convenience of maintenance-free living. If you enjoy listening to your co-workers complain about shovelling snow in November, attached homes might be your answer."