Lyndsay Fogarty
Owning a home is often considered one of the defining factors of the pursuit of the American Dream, but when the real estate market is performing well, it can sometimes feel like more of a pipe dream to be able to afford to enter that market.
As many Millennials begin to reach the point in their lives when they’d like to purchase a home, some feel priced out of the market at the onset, and it can be discouraging. Fortunately, townhomes offer a happy medium – with space to stretch out, affordable community amenities, luxe features, and best of all, a lower barrier to entry.
Many of the townhomes hitting the market today are quite different than the simple, templated townhomes of yesterday. Today’s options feel much more like a traditional, single-family detached home, with ample garage and storage space, opulent bathrooms, top-of-the-line finishes, outdoor living spaces, and room to grow into. Families looking to buy in some of the better school districts have also found townhomes to be a great option, offering plenty of square footage within close proximity to the desired schools of choice.
On the other end of the spectrum, as Baby Boomers continue to leave the workforce, many are interested in moving into smaller homes that require less maintenance and upkeep. Townhomes offer the perfect option for recent – or soon-to-be – retirees who want to spend more time traveling or seeing family and friends and less head space on the day-to-day responsibilities of owning and maintaining a home that has more square footage than they need. A townhome often marries the best of both worlds – offering home ownership and space in nice, well-maintained communities, while also featuring amenities such as dog walks, community pools, and sporting courts.
Take, for example, this spacious townhome in Maitland, long known for being one of the quiet, upscale bedroom communities outside downtown Orlando. The 1,480-square foot home offers an attached two-car garage, stainless steel appliances, and new carpet in several of the rooms. The home features three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, a breakfast bar, a walk-in master closet, and a community pool.
Located in the heart of desirable Maitland, Fla., this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom townhome features an inviting entryway and a well-maintained community pool. (Located at 2235 Park Maitland Ct, Maitland, FL 32751)
A spacious kitchen opens into a warm and cozy dining area, which overlooks the home’s back patio. Lots of natural light pours into the home from the well-placed windows and doors. (Located at 2235 Park Maitland Ct, Maitland, FL 32751)
The patio of the home features both a screened enclosure as well as an open-air section. Those seeking a quiet, private space can retreat to the patio, which is fenced off from neighboring patios. Brick pavers complete this luxurious outdoor living space. (Located at 2235 Park Maitland Ct, Maitland, FL 32751)
Upstairs, the home has a spacious master bedroom, complete with an en suite bathroom that features a double-vanity sink. Neutral paint and flooring colors ensure this home is move-in ready. (Located at 2235 Park Maitland Ct, Maitland, FL 32751)
A little closer to downtown Orlando is this charming three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom townhome in the popular Milk District. This 2,022 square foot townhome has a one-car garage, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a covered patio, and balcony spaces on the second floor.
Just steps from the hustle and bustle of downtown Orlando, this quiet townhome retreat offers luxury and convenience, right in the heart of one of Central Florida’s most popular communities. A one-car garage is an added bonus in an area where parking is considered a premium! (Located at 2419 Kilgore St, Orlando, FL 32803)
Gorgeous wood floors paired with a light, neutral paint color open up the home’s living space, which overlooks an outdoor covered patio area through a set of double-doors. These doors – as well as windows in the room – are covered by beautiful plantation shutters, allowing the home’s owner to choose whether to close off the space or open it up to the natural Florida sunshine. (Located at 2419 Kilgore St, Orlando, FL 32803)
This townhome’s kitchen offers plenty of storage space and features stainless steel appliances as well as granite countertops. (Located at 2419 Kilgore St, Orlando, FL 32803)
A covered patio looking out onto a fenced-in grassy yard is perfect for homeowners who have pets or who just want a quiet oasis near downtown Orlando to spend relaxing evenings. (Located at 2419 Kilgore St, Orlando, FL 32803)
Buyers who are attracted to new and high-tech communities might consider this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom townhome in Lake Nona, a master-planned community near the Orlando International Airport, often considered the hub of Central Florida’s medical and technological advances. This 1,544-square foot townhome was built in 2017, and offers quartz kitchen countertops, a walk-in closet in the master suite, as well as a detached two-car garage. An ample fenced-in patio space features rustic brick pavers throughout, and serves as the perfect spot to set up a BBQ and fire pit for those temperate Florida evenings.
And while Lake Nona may be home to some of the area’s hottest and high-wage STEM job opportunities, the community is also well-known for encouraging residents to balance work with play. New restaurants and entertainment options are popping up all the time, such as Nona Adventure Park and Boxi Park Lake Nona. There’s certainly no shortage of opportunities to see, do, taste, and experience all that Central Florida has to offer from this new community.
Built in 2017, this Lake Nona area townhome offers buyers an affordable option in one of the area’s most talked-about and fastest-growing communities. (Located at 8534 Vedder Lane, Orlando, FL 32832)
An open, spacious kitchen with gorgeous white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and quartz countertops opens into the home’s main living space. Bright cabinetry and paint tones complement the home’s pristine wood plank flooring throughout the first story of the home. (Located at 8534 Vedder Lane, Orlando, FL 32832)
A hallway on the first floor of this Lake Nona area townhome includes built-in shelving to take advantage of additional storage while proudly displaying items the homeowner values. (Located at 8534 Vedder Lane, Orlando, FL 32832)
A private back patio – complete with beautiful brick pavers – takes this townhome’s owners from the detached two-car garage to the back entrance of the home in just a few steps, reminding the homeowner to take full advantage of Florida’s year-round sunshine and quiet, mild evenings. (Located at 8534 Vedder Lane, Orlando, FL 32832)
Whether a Millennial couple looking to purchase their first home, a small family trying to land in a great school district, or a retiree who wants less space to maintain, townhomes can offer the perfect option for affordable home ownership without the hassle of constant maintenance. New townhomes are being added to Opendoor all the time, so potential homebuyers are encouraged to check back often on Opendoor’s website at https://www.opendoor.com/homes/orlando. Buyers in the market for a new home are also encouraged to download the Opendoor mobile app (Android, iOS) to easily access details on available homes, and to use the app as a digital key to unlock homes for their own personal open-house tours on their schedule.
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