From NYTimes writer Marcelle Fischler: "New rental and for-sale communities are increasingly being built in clusters: attached townhouses, semi-attached houses and condominium and rental units in townhouse-style complexes. What with the scarcity of financing and the inventory backlog of single-family houses, said Glen Cherveny, an architect at Axelrod & Cherveny, those developers who are building at all are sticking to the townhouse look.
"Young couples and professionals starting out, as well as empty nesters and divorcees, clamor for the clustered housing, according to Bruce Orr, senior vice president for sales and marketing of Timber Ridge, a developer. This is at least partly because they don’t have to worry about exterior maintenance like raking or shoveling. Some buyers are also realizing that home values are more secure in townhouse and condo communities, Mr. Cherveny said. With exterior maintenance controlled, there are no worries about a clunker next door.
"Another draw, said Mr. Cherveny, is the 'safety factor' of living in a close-knit community. The townhouse setup also allows for 'a little more density' without affecting the school district. Bruce Orr, senior vice president for sales and marketing of Timber Ridge, said a two-bedroom two-bath townhouse 'doesn’t lend itself to a family of six.'" Full article here. (Photo credit: Kathy Kmonicek.)