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Picture this: It’s winter. It’s freezing. You still need to clear the
last of the leaves from your lawn, but you’re finding every excuse to
stay huddled inside your warm home and out of the cold, biting air. More
than ever, you’re wishing your yard work would just do itself.
Sound familiar? Maintenance and lawn care can be tedious and exhausting chores, especially on the coldest or hottest days of the year. But there are types of residential developments that take care of these chores for you.
The Many Faces of Low-Maintenance Living
Low-maintenance communities, in general, are neighborhoods that provide services such as lawn care and exterior maintenance through an association fee. In a maintenance-free community, especially, little — if any — maintenance is required on the homeowner’s part.
As is the case with any neighborhood, different communities offer different amenities, especially when it comes to low- or no-maintenance living. So to give you a better idea about what to look for in a low-maintenance home, we’ve come up with a quick guide.
Low-Maintenance Townhome Developments
If you want all the space of a single-family home but don’t mind sharing a wall, a townhouse is a great option for low-maintenance living. Though the amenities many vary from community to community, townhome developments typically provide common area maintenance and landscaping.
Low-Maintenance Condominiums
Think of condos as upgraded rental apartments: you have your own space, you can access community amenities, and you can count on someone else to take care of the most mundane chores. It’s important to note that condos are a type of ownership: when you own a condo, you own everything within the walls of your home. Unlike with townhomes, you aren’t required to care for the exterior. In addition, condo associations typically maintain the common areas and provide services like trash removal and pest control. Depending on the association, the community may also provide utilities, phone service, and cable or Internet.
No-Maintenance Residential Communities
Some
communities, like 55+ communities, take care of more than just the
common areas. True maintenance-free communities may also take care of
your home’s exterior maintenance, lawn care, landscaping, and services
like trash or snow removal.
Real estate options in these no-maintenance communities can include condos, townhomes, and/or single-family homes.
Where to Do Your Research
If a community has an association, check the rules and regulations to learn about what services the association provides. Not sure where to look? It never hurts to ask a trusted real estate agent.
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