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The townhouse idea is quite appealing. By townhouse do you mean individual SFH, not in a development but independent off a street on a lane? No HOA?
We have in our area Milford-Ashland-Franklin-Holiston and such some HOAs with 4 different entrances from different sides. They look like they have more privacy than some others.
They do have HOA/condo fees, but no pools or other things that make it expensive. Over the time we do not see large increases in this fee. We will continue to watch it, watch how much our towns' (different town) taxes will be rising and will make a decision.
Our house was pretty much completely rebuilt 10 years ago, so we do not have any large spendings on upkeep now, but who knows what will happen in 8-10 year. We will watch this, winters (how snowy they will be) etc. And of course politics. Maybe we will need to run and hide.
We have in our area Milford-Ashland-Franklin-Holiston and such some HOAs with 4 different entrances from different sides. They look like they have more privacy than some others.
They do have HOA/condo fees, but no pools or other things that make it expensive. Over the time we do not see large increases in this fee. We will continue to watch it, watch how much our towns' (different town) taxes will be rising and will make a decision.
Our house was pretty much completely rebuilt 10 years ago, so we do not have any large spendings on upkeep now, but who knows what will happen in 8-10 year. We will watch this, winters (how snowy they will be) etc. And of course politics. Maybe we will need to run and hide.
Association fee of $420 seems like a lot if that's just for plowing, landscaping and trash.
In many associations, members cry to keep the dues low thus ignoring Reserve funding. This cry is common with owners who do not intend to stay but a few years and older folks crying I am on a fixed income.
If Reserves are not properly funded, it will come back and bite your butt.
She pays 476. There are people there with money but mother is retired. Someone said they neglected repairs for awhile.
Well she pays condo fees and it seems she has to dish out a ton of money for repairs like a new roof and new windows.maybe they are corrupt . That's why I would never trust the board of trustees .
I feel the same about condo boards, and the possibility that they invoke the need to prop up reserve funds on top of condo fees. With individual home ownership, you can always have submissions from contractors and defer some work to be done over time, so you call the shots.
Still, if you consider the breadth of the real estate market, condos are a valuable asset.
There are many avenues to property ownership and they may correspond to the owner’s values, lifestyle, etc…
Consider people who own trailer homes in trailer parks who rent a trailer park site. Their property values are incumbent on the resale of the movable. They can in most instances be forced to move if the park owner sells to a developer whose intention is to build. If the owner of a trailer home owns his piece of land, all the better.
I'm surprised your poll choices didn't include "planning to downsize to a condo or apartment"; only "have moved." Also "in Massachusetts."
you are exactly right. my first post has been edited to say answer poll if you have downsized or considering downsizing in MA. Please feel to vote either way.
yes, in MA as that would be more relevant for as this is MA forum and for MA residents. the choices and variables may be different in other states, and this post if for those who don’t want to leave the state,
like me !
I agree, like row houses. They share a common side wall. There can be just two, side by side or more. In one HOA I was a member of, in MA, we had 4 units per building.. Two inner units and two outer units. Each unit was 3 stories, counting the full basement. Dividing walls were double cinder block with a space in between. You never heard any noise from your adjoining neighbor.
When we relocated, to SC, we wanted a home with no stairs. The stairs in a townhouse can be a killer for older folks. We did look at a townhouse development that had an elevator in each unit.
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