01
Choose the location before the finishes
Start with where you want to spend your time. For a downtown search, walk the route from the building to the places you expect to visit, rather than judging convenience from the address alone. For a townhome farther from downtown, test your daily drive and the return trip. Spend time on the surrounding streets before and after a showing. The route home matters as much as the rooms inside.
02
Look closely at the layout and everyday access
Compare the entrance, stairs, bedroom level, laundry, and storage on your actual tour. Confirm whether parking is assigned, deeded, rented, or shared, and what arrangements apply to guests. If you need an elevator, outdoor space, room for a bicycle, or a place to charge a vehicle, put that on the shortlist before touring. A floor plan that looks similar online can feel quite different once you trace a normal day through it.
03
Understand what you own and what the association handles
Treat “condo” and “townhome” as the start of a conversation about ownership, not a promise about maintenance. Request the governing documents and confirm responsibility for the roof, exterior, grounds, and shared areas. Review pet, rental, parking, and renovation rules that would affect your plans. Ask for the current budget, reserve information, and any existing or proposed special assessments. Your lender should also confirm whether the property and project meet the requirements of your loan.
04
Compare the monthly total and the questions still open
Put mortgage costs, taxes, insurance, association dues, and any separate parking or utility charges on the same page for each home. Check what the dues include and whether more than one association charges a fee. Keep unanswered questions attached to the listing so a lower asking price does not distract from costs you have not confirmed. Before making an offer, review the documents and inspection options with your agent and the financing with your lender.