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Row-homes, Town-homes

Started by WilliamS1 • 10 replies • 1693 views

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WilliamS1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 113
Posted:
We have a person in our HOA who continually brings up the point that we are actually "row homes" and not "town homes". Does anyone know the difference and how it applies to anything?

Thanks
JohnM3 (Florida)
Posts: 288
Posted:
Row houses is an english term. It means basically houses that are attached to each other on each side Which in Florida we call townhomes and we also call them zero-lot-line homes it is all the same thing its just samantics
LisaS (Illinois)
Posts: 341
Posted:
In Illinois we have an area with 'Row Homes', but they are not attached. they are approxiametly 6 feet apart and feature garages in the rear via alley.

I guess it really is just a label!
ArhsubF (California)
Posts: 12
Posted:
Row homes are attached to each other in a line and they are also similar sometimes and town homes are located in any town or where you are living like Florida homes.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,046
Posted:
Per Merriam Webster:

Town House (aka Town home): a house that has two or three levels and that is attached to a similar house by a shared wall

Row house:a house in a row of houses that shares a wall with the houses next to it.

Per Portland Oregon's Bureau of Development Services (see page 10 and 11): A Townhouse is a single family unit constructed in a row of attached units on a single tax lot. A Rowhouse is a single family unit constructed in a row of attached units separated by property lines. However, your municipality may have different definitions.

So it appears that physical descriptions of the construction of the home is the same. However, a municipality may have defined them differently for tax purposes. Therefore, you will need to check how or if your municipality has different definitions.

How does it apply to anything? Depending on your municipalities definition, it may affect how they are taxed by the city. I don't think it makes a difference to the Association. Perhaps this is the way the individual likes to demonstrate their knowledge (like the character Sheldon on the Big Bang Theory).

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
I agree with Tim. It's more or less symantics and based on tax definitions in your state/locale. In my area, I live in a Patio home. The state does not recognize that category of home. We have to file our homestead taxes under "Condo/townhome". I think there is only like 3 categories available like single family home, property, and condo. However, homes are advertised as "Patio homes" and sold as such. Patio homes are not much different from condo/townhomes except they are more stand alone houses with small yards arranged in a small complex of similar homes. Whereas Condo's and town homes are usually attached in one big building or side by side.

Let them refer to them as "Row houses" if they want. It doesn't make much difference in your documents or much else. It is what ever your tax laws define you as and your documents. HOA stands for "Homeowner's Association" it doesn't differentiate what type of home it is.
Former HOA President
LarryB13 (Arizona)
Posts: 4,099
Posted:
Tim & Melissa,

Did you notice that this thread is from 2006?

It was revived by a person who resurrected several old threads before spamming for some Australian property management company.
MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836
Posted:
Hey Larry? You familiar with the term "Dope" as quoted from the Simpsons? That slapping sound you hear is my hand slapping myself in the forehead... LOL!
Former HOA President

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