Drive around South Jersey long enough and you may notice something:
We're building a lot of townhomes.
Gloucester Township's Planning Board approved Oasis at Sicklerville, a proposed 119-townhome community on vacant land along West Independence Boulevard. The board approved the project in September, and details were reported publicly in late October.
So why are townhouses showing up everywhere?
Because they solve several real estate problems at once.
For builders, townhomes allow more housing to be constructed on less land than a traditional detached-home subdivision.
For buyers, they can provide newer construction at a lower price point than a comparable detached house.
For downsizers, they may offer less exterior maintenance.
And for first-time buyers, townhomes can provide an alternative when single-family homes have become difficult to afford.
But townhome ownership isn't automatically right for everyone.
Buyers need to investigate:
- HOA fees.
- What those fees cover.
- Parking.
- Pet restrictions.
- Rental restrictions.
- Exterior maintenance responsibilities.
- Reserves and the financial health of the association.
- And, of course, resale potential.
That's where a Realtor needs to look beyond the pretty kitchen.
The rise of townhomes also tells us something larger about the South Jersey housing market.
The traditional quarter-acre suburban lot is getting harder and more expensive to create.
Land costs more.
Infrastructure costs more.
Municipalities need different types of housing.
And buyers need more options at different price points.
So I don't think townhomes are going away anytime soon.
The more useful question for buyers is:
Which townhome communities will hold their value best, and which ones actually fit the way you want to live?
That's where the details matter.
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