Feeling priced out of the Northeast Florida housing market? A condo or townhome could be your way in. With more homes to choose from and lower price tags than single-family homes, these options can put ownership within reach without stretching your budget to the limit.
If you’ve been searching St. Johns County, St. Augustine, or Nocatee and coming up empty, it might be time to widen your search. A lot of buyers focus only on single-family, detached homes and don’t realize how much that narrows their options. Opening up to condos and townhomes can mean more choices, more negotiating room, and a lower price of entry — especially valuable for first-time buyers trying to break into a competitive local market.
There Are More Condos and Townhomes to Choose From
Nationally, there were 233,030 condos and townhomes for sale this past June, according to HousingWire data. That’s the highest June total in at least a decade, and more than double what was available back in 2022.
That’s the national picture, and what’s actually on the market here in Northeast Florida will vary by neighborhood. But the trend still matters for local buyers:
- More listings generally mean less competition for each one
- More time to make a decision instead of rushing an offer
- More room to negotiate on price or terms
They Also Tend to Cost Less Than Single-Family Homes
Price is the other big advantage. The National Association of Realtors reported a median condo price of $380,000 in June, compared to $446,400 for single-family homes — a gap of more than $66,000.
Condos are usually smaller than single-family homes, and that smaller footprint often comes with a smaller price tag. If you don’t need a lot of extra space, that lower entry point could be exactly what gets you through the door of homeownership in a St. Augustine or St. Johns County zip code you thought was out of reach.
Condo or Townhome? How They’re Different
Before you start touring homes, it helps to understand how these two options compare — to each other and to a single-family home.
- Single-family home: You own the house and the land, with no shared walls. You get the most space and privacy, but also the highest price tag and full responsibility for maintenance.
- Townhome: You own the building and the lot it sits on. These homes are usually multi-level with more square footage, and you share at most two walls with neighbors. You’ll have more say over how your home looks and how repairs are handled, but more of that upkeep falls on you.
- Condo: You own the interior of your unit and often gain access to shared amenities like a pool or gym. The building and common areas belong to the community, so your maintenance load is lighter. In exchange, you’ll typically have more neighbors close by, less control over building decisions, and higher HOA fees to cover exterior upkeep.
FAQs
Is it actually cheaper to buy a condo than a house around here? Generally, yes — condos tend to have a lower purchase price than single-family homes because they’re smaller and don’t include a large private lot.
What’s the real difference between a condo and a townhome? A condo means you own the inside of your unit while the building and grounds are shared, whereas a townhome means you own the structure and the land beneath it, similar to a single-family home.
Should I be worried about HOA fees eating into my savings? HOA fees are worth factoring into your budget, but they often cover maintenance you’d otherwise pay for yourself, so it’s about comparing your total monthly cost, not just the sticker price.
Bottom Line
A condo or townhome could be the path to homeownership you’ve been looking for without blowing your budget. Connect with a local real estate agent to see what’s available in your area and figure out which type of home fits your lifestyle and your bottom line.
If you are considering buying or selling in Northeast Florida, contact Danielle Fraser, P.A.
Call or text 904-907-4559 , email danielle@