Phoenix Condo Mania
Phoenix Condos, Townhomes or Patio Homes – Which is for you?
Not sure whether you should be looking for a condo, townhome or patio home in Phoenix? Not everyone agrees on the style definitions, and that includes builders, real estate agents and homeowners. Here's my attempt at differentiating these three styles.
Phoenix Condominiums
If you've lived in places like Manhattan, Chicago and Miami Beach, you know and understand the term condominium to be a (usually) small place in a high rise building. But in Phoenix, high-rise condominiums were an anomaly until the last 5 years, when the luxury condominium developments like the Tapestry on Central or the Optima Biltmore were added to the downtown and Biltmore area skyline. High rise and mid-rise condominiums vary in price, with the new high-rise condominiums commanding the highest price per square foot – builders claim that the steel and concrete buildings are more expensive to build than a 2 story wood frame building. Is a mid-rise or high-rise community for you? Basement parking and elevators aren't quite as convenient, but the possibility of great views, better amenities and proximity to shopping/dining may be worth it.
More common in Phoenix is a condo in a 2-story building with 3 to 5 other condos. Unless you have an end unit, you'll have shared walls on both sides. You'll get your choice between a second floor unit with balcony, and a first floor unit with a patio. Some of the older condominium communities (1970's – 1980's) aren't pretty on the outside. However, the inside may have been remodeled to look brand new, and these types of units present the best value compared to newer condos or most townhomes. The newer condominium communities often have garages included, either in the same building as the unit, or in an adjacent building.
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Phoenix Townhomes
The legal definition of a townhome is a residence with shared walls but which the owner owns the land the property is on. The advantage of a townhome is that you have no other owners above or below you, unlike the condo model. In addition, many of the newer Scottsdale townhomes have garages and often have a patio or balcony. Builders are now creating 3-story townhomes where the garage is on the first floor, the living space on the second floor (often with a balcony), and the bedrooms are on the third. This kind of townhome model takes up less space and therefore can be more affordable for the builder and (potentially) the buyer. The drawback? Lots of stairs. Don't want stairs? Try a Patio Home.
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Phoenix Patio Homes (or Villas, if you want to get fancy)
The great feature of a patio home is, as the name states, its patio. With such great Phoenix weather, people want to feel like they can get outside and enjoy their own space, without the hassle of a big yard. A patio can include some landscaping as well. With a good automatic drip irrigation system, a few plantings can still be classified as low maintenance.
Most patio homes are one story, in my opinion, which fits well with those that can't climb stairs, or worry that one day they won't be able to climb stairs. Patio homes also may be stand-alone homes, or have one or two shared walls with a neighbor. Most patio homes have garages, but some of the older patio homes have a carport, or a detached patio. In almost all cases, the patio home owner doesn't have responsibility for front yard maintenance, as that land is owned and operated by the community's homeowner association. For a classic patio home style, check out some units at Villa Sierra Madre.
Unfortunately, the classic patio home is no longer being built in the one-story model except with the over $500,000 price tag (hence, the "villa"). Instead, the new patio homes are a combination town-home and patio home, with 2 stories but still a generous-sized patio. Fireside at Norterra has a good selection of this style.
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Phoenix Lofts
Phoenix is seriously behind other large cities in the loft architecture, probably because there weren't any old buildings to convert to lofts as in cities like Denver, and new condo developers seem to think there isn't enough demand. If you like the loft style, check out the Artisan Lofts on Central. Not all of the units have the true-loft style, with the warehouse look and exposed pipes, and most lofts will have price tags over $500,000.
Phoenix Condo Communities mentioned in this article
- Artisan Lofts on Central
- Fireside at Norterra
- Optima Biltmore
- Tapestry on Central
- Villa Sierra Madre
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- Phoenix Condo Mania
