A multi-story home shares one or more walls with neighboring units yet includes private ownership of the structure and often a small yard or patio. That dwelling is a townhouse. It blends features of single-family living with some characteristics of attached housing.

Townhouses may be freehold or part of a condominium or homeowners-association structure. Exterior maintenance responsibilities vary with the governing documents. Buyers often choose townhouses for lower maintenance than detached homes and more space than apartments.

Parking, privacy, and sound transmission depend on design and construction quality. Resale markets for townhouses are strong in many urban and suburban areas where land costs make detached homes expensive. Understanding the association rules and fee structure is essential before purchasing.

A townhouse offers a middle path between the fully detached house and the stacked condominium unit.