Townhouses often become the happy medium between a detached house and a condominium because they offer some features of both. A townhouse is a house that is attached to two or more other houses but stands on a piece of land that you yourself can own. There’s more than one kind of townhouse structure available; some are simple, as in the case of a duplex or a triplex, while larger townhouse communities offer amenities and common areas like a park or a swimming pool.

The advantage of getting a townhouse is that there’s a lot less for you to maintain in terms of its exteriors and repairs. Having your neighbor so close to you also increases the level of security.

On the other hand, you’ll have to pay Home Owner Association fees if you want to enjoy the amenities and facilities of the neighborhood. Compared to single family homes, townhouses also offer less privacy. If you want to change the exterior of your house, your options are very limited since the Home Owner Association will probably put restrictions onto modifications you can make.

A townhouse may be the perfect dwelling if you want to have your own space but not have to worry about maintenance. Townhouses are also ideal for new families with small children or the elderly. If you want community-style living but don’t want to stay in an apartment and have your neighbors below, above, and right next to you – consider investing your money in a townhouse.

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Buying your first home can be a tricky endeavor, especially since you’re not entirely sure what exactly you’re getting yourself into. Everyone seems to have different ideas about where the market is headed and what you should do to get the best deal. You might not be able to avoid some mistakes when buying your first home, but it’s possible for you to keep them to a minimum.

Don’t put all your trust on your real estate agent’s house inspector. Buying a home is a huge investment and an accurate home inspection can keep you from getting a bad house. It’s best to ask for referrals from other buyers and interviewing at least three before hiring your home inspector.

Set limits on how much you want to borrow and how you intend to pay for it. Limit your housing costs to about 25% of your gross income.

Investigate the neighborhood and observe the activity in the area during the day and late afternoon. You’ll discover good and bad things about it – that it’s a popular shortcut during rush hour, for instance. Talk to your neighbors and ask them what they like or what they don’t like about the neighborhood.

Do be cautious about signs that indicate the market in the area is weakening. Usually this is when the properties stay in the market longer or when there’s a large discrepancy between the cost of renting and the cost of owning. If you’re financially capable of purchasing a home, however, don’t let your fears or uncertainties get the better of you. Don’t put off your purchase for years because the prices in the future will be higher than the rates today.

A bad house is when the seller of a house fails to inform the buyer of a structural defect before the purchase. It’s difficult to prove if the seller did know about the defect after you bought the house, but you can avoid buying a bad house in the first place.

Although all sellers are legally required to inform you about the house’s defects, remember that not all home seller disclosures are accurate. To find out if there really are any structural problems the seller failed to inform you, you can ask the neighbors because they might know more about the house than anyone else besides the previous owners.

To make sure that you really didn’t miss out on any defects, hire your own professional house inspector who can look through the house before you make any purchases. Be careful of any inspectors recommended by the real estate agent because they probably won’t direct you to an inspector who will be as thorough as you want.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask the seller about whatever special concerns you might have about the house. As a buyer, it’s your responsibility to make sure you know everything about the house before agreeing to purchase the property. Make sure that your offer is based on the recommendations of your professional house inspector.

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There are many benefits to buying a home instead of renting one – appreciation of the property, pride of ownership, mortgage reductions, etc. You’re probably already shopping for a your own house because you’ve figured out the reasons why you want to own one. Now all you have to do is remain focused and determined to find the house that’s just right for you or your family.

Most searches for homes begin by checking out listings on Internet, looking at pictures or going through virtual tours. If you still can’t find what you want, ask your friends to recommend a good real estate agent to you, one who will listen to your needs and only show you homes that will suit those needs.

When looking at a house, bring a digital camera and take pictures of the exterior and every single room. Note down all the interesting features and elements of the house’s construction and design, and pay attention to the location and its surroundings. After leaving each house, rate it from a scale of one to ten, with ten being the highest. You’ll immediately know which among the houses you’ve seen deserve a second look. Once you do look at them a second time, you’ll notice different things that you didn’t see the first time around.

Remember that all real estate agents are required to point out defects in the home and should help you, the buyer, find EXACTLY what you’re looking for.