Are you tired of living in a rented apartment where you can't even hang pictures on the wall? Do you want to own your own property but you don't want to deal with mowing the lawn or other landscaping tasks? If this sounds like you, then purchasing a condo or townhome might be right for you! A townhome allows you to have your own space and to do with it what you want, within reason, while leaving the exterior maintenance tasks to a landscaping or maintenance company. If this sounds appealing to you, here are some things to consider when shopping for a townhome:

Ownership bylaws: When looking at various townhomes for sale, make sure to check out the homeownership rules and regulations before you sign anything. Some townhome communities may decree that you're only able to use certain colors of paint or that non-critical repairs and renovations may only be carried out at specific times. These kinds of rules can keep you from being awoken at 3am by someone who has decided that is the best time to replace their flooring. Unfortunately, these rules can sometimes make it more difficult for you to do what you want to do. Checking out the bylaws before you buy will ensure that you know and will be able to abide by them.

Meet the neighbors: By purchasing one of the townhomes for sale in your area, you are essentially agreeing to live in the same location for several years. If it turns out that you and your neighbors don't actually get along for whatever reason, it's going to be a long several years. Obviously, you may not be able to meet everyone before you make your final decision, but you should try to at least meet a few. They should be able to give you an idea of what it is like to live in the community and whether or not there is anything that may concern you.

Find out about utilities: With some townhomes for sale, water and sewer might be covered under your monthly maintenance and homeownership fees. In other communities, you're responsible for paying all of the utilities. If there are several electric companies in the area, it's a good idea to find out which one actually services the townhome that you're considering purchasing. Since different utility companies can have different rates and fees, finding out which one you'll be using can be essential to helping you figure out what your monthly utility costs are going to be.