Townhomes

Townhomes have become one of the most common ways to own a home in Seattle, and for good reason. They put you in walkable neighborhoods like Ballard, Capitol Hill, and Fremont at a price point that often sits between a condo and a detached house, usually with more square footage and privacy than a stacked flat.

My name is Henos Adhana, and I work with buyers and sellers on townhomes throughout Seattle, the Eastside, and the north-end suburbs as a broker with eXp Realty. Whether you are comparing your first townhomes for sale in Seattle or preparing to list one you already own, my job is to give you clear, specific information so you can decide with confidence.

This page walks through what makes townhome ownership different, what to check before you write an offer, and how selling a townhome differs from selling a single-family home.

What makes a townhome different

Townhouse describes the shape of a building, not what you own. In Seattle you will often see townhomes built in small clusters of three to six on a single site, and they are sold one of two ways. Many are split into unit lots, so you own the land under your home and the house on it. Others are set up as a condominium that only looks like a row of houses from the street.

That distinction matters. A unit lot is not a separate buildable lot: Seattle's plats note that development standards still apply to the original parent lot, and shared driveways, parking and open space run on recorded easements and joint use and maintenance agreements. A condo townhome carries monthly dues, a resale certificate and the lender's review of the whole project. Before you fall in love with a floor plan, I will pull the recorded documents and confirm exactly what you would own and what you would be responsible for. The full comparison is in my guide to townhouse vs condo in Seattle.

What to check before you buy

Because many Seattle townhomes are newer infill construction, the details deserve a close look. I encourage buyers to review the site plan and any shared-maintenance or HOA documents, confirm parking arrangements, and understand how the roof, siding, and any shared walls are maintained over time. Reserve funds and dues, where they apply, tell you a lot about the long-term cost of ownership.

During the inspection, we pay attention to items common in attached and multi-level homes, such as drainage between units, deck and rooftop conditions, and sound separation with neighbors. I coordinate this alongside your inspection so nothing important gets skipped before your contingency period ends.

Selling your Seattle townhome

Selling a townhome calls for a slightly different approach than a detached house. Buyers are usually comparing your home against nearby townhomes and condos, so pricing depends on recent sales of genuinely comparable attached homes, not just the block you live on. I put together a comparative market analysis grounded in that data before we set a number.

From there we focus on presentation that fits how townhome buyers shop: clean, well-lit interior photos, clear information on ownership type and any dues, and staging that makes multi-level layouts feel open. I manage the listing, showings, and negotiation so the process stays organized from list date to closing.

Worth reading first

Written for exactly this question:

• Townhouse or condo in Seattle: what you actually own

Where I work

A few areas where this comes up often:

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Common questions