Townhouse vs House
Dec 18th 2007, 3:00 am
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2007
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Townhouse vs House
Is it just a matter of two floors vs one?
Dec 18th 2007, 3:05 am
#2
Unspoilt by progress.....
Joined: May 2007
Location: Redcliffe, nr Brisbane
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Dec 18th 2007, 3:25 am
#3
has lost The Game
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Chippendale, Sydney
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Dec 18th 2007, 4:36 am
#4
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,027
Re: Townhouse vs House
Quite often they are attached and have tiny backyards, if any at all.
Dec 18th 2007, 4:40 am
#5
Suncream, I need suncream
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,316
Re: Townhouse vs House
As Swervo said they will have strata fees associated with them which can vary from maybe $250 a quarter to well over $1000 so definitely something to think about and ask about straight away when buying. The good thing about strata fees (I guess) is that they will include buildings insurance in the cost and if anything needs repairing etc to the outside of the house it will normally come out of the owners pocket and not yours.
We looked at quite a few and came across a couple of nice ones with low strata fees (this is in Sydney) but at the end of the day we decided that we prefer the older style houses anyway - Australians seem to love the brand new stuff with no character...
And yes they generally will have 2 floors and almost always be part of a block - whether that be a 'duplex' (semi) or a terrace.
Graham
We looked at quite a few and came across a couple of nice ones with low strata fees (this is in Sydney) but at the end of the day we decided that we prefer the older style houses anyway - Australians seem to love the brand new stuff with no character...
And yes they generally will have 2 floors and almost always be part of a block - whether that be a 'duplex' (semi) or a terrace.
Graham
Dec 18th 2007, 9:40 pm
#7
has lost The Game
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Chippendale, Sydney
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Re: Townhouse vs House
As Swervo said they will have strata fees associated with them which can vary from maybe $250 a quarter to well over $1000 so definitely something to think about and ask about straight away when buying. The good thing about strata fees (I guess) is that they will include buildings insurance in the cost and if anything needs repairing etc to the outside of the house it will normally come out of the owners pocket and not yours.
We looked at quite a few and came across a couple of nice ones with low strata fees (this is in Sydney) but at the end of the day we decided that we prefer the older style houses anyway - Australians seem to love the brand new stuff with no character...
And yes they generally will have 2 floors and almost always be part of a block - whether that be a 'duplex' (semi) or a terrace.
Graham
We looked at quite a few and came across a couple of nice ones with low strata fees (this is in Sydney) but at the end of the day we decided that we prefer the older style houses anyway - Australians seem to love the brand new stuff with no character...
And yes they generally will have 2 floors and almost always be part of a block - whether that be a 'duplex' (semi) or a terrace.
Graham
there are also Villas, which are strata titled, but detached and standing alone on the strata plot. These offer a bit more flexibility in terms of ownership, as they don't have any shared walls, so you have more power over what you can do to the internals of the walls apparently.
S
Dec 18th 2007, 9:53 pm
#9
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,225
Re: Townhouse vs House
We're renting a three storey town house, the body corp fees are included in the rent and all we pay for is a few bucks for grass cutting and it's ideal - everything gets taken care of, the development is kept very clean and tidy and it's quite quiet.
Not sure I'd want to buy one to live in though, I think the body corp thing would get to me after a while - rules and regs
.
Not sure I'd want to buy one to live in though, I think the body corp thing would get to me after a while - rules and regs
.
Dec 18th 2007, 11:21 pm
#11
Dan&Bex
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Buderim, Australia
Posts: 63
Re: Townhouse vs House
Townhouse- hmmmmmmmm not the best due to body corp that you need to pay. I am a real estate agent and townhouses are good for those who cant afford to buy a house as they are often a bit cheaper than a house. You will also often also get facilities within the communal grounds such as bbq's and maybe a pool if your lucky.
If you can afford to buy a house then buy a house as you wont have to pay the body corp. The body corporate is basically the management of the communal areas, buildings insurance and they sort problems out when they go wrong (not inside your house though) etc etc.
Someone said that they are renting a townhouse and that its great. True! if you rent a townhouse all that you pay is your rent as in australia the owner has to pay all other costs such as body corp and rates, but if you buy you pay the lot!
Dan
P.S- You also have to pay body corp if you buy a unit
Dec 19th 2007, 9:39 am
#12
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Re: Townhouse vs House
whats a unit?
Dec 19th 2007, 10:14 am
#13
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Dec 19th 2007, 10:15 pm
#15
has lost The Game
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Re: Townhouse vs House
When I was at school 'The Unit' was where the 'special' kids went. Whenever I hear people talking about buying a unit or inspecting a unit, I always imagine the place to be full of 'special' kids.
Strange how early life experiences linger on into adulthood...
S
