Downers Grove Townhome vs House: Which Fits You?

Trying to choose between a single-family home and a townhome in Downers Grove? You are not alone. Many buyers weigh space and privacy against maintenance, HOA fees, and monthly costs. In this guide, you will see local price ranges, what to budget each month, how HOAs and financing work, and a simple decision matrix and touring checklist tailored to Downers Grove. Let’s dive in.

Quick compare: what changes most

Ownership structure

• Single-family: You own the structure and the lot. You handle exterior, roof, and yard maintenance.
• Townhome: Ownership can be fee simple or part of a condo association. An HOA often maintains exteriors and common areas while you handle the interior.

Space and privacy

• Single-family: More lot size, more separation from neighbors, and often more interior square footage.
• Townhome: Shared walls and smaller lots, but efficient layouts and lower exterior upkeep.

Recurring costs

• Single-family: Typically lower or no HOA dues, but higher out-of-pocket maintenance and landscaping.
• Townhome: Monthly HOA dues cover common upkeep. Your personal maintenance burden is lighter, but dues and special assessments can add up.

What homes cost in Downers Grove

Price bands shift with neighborhood, updates, and proximity to the Metra. Based on market observations through mid 2024, here is a helpful starting point to frame your search:

• Townhomes and attached units: roughly $200,000 to $350,000 for many 2 to 3 bedroom options, with older communities near the lower end and renovated or larger units at the higher end.
• Single-family homes: roughly $350,000 to $700,000+, depending on size, lot, location, and updates.

A few local factors can move prices within these bands. Proximity to downtown and the Metra station, property condition, lot size, and school attendance areas can influence value. Smaller older single-family homes may overlap with higher priced townhomes, so lifestyle fit matters more than price alone.

For permits or local services that can affect value and maintenance planning, the Village of Downers Grove offers helpful resources on its official website.

Monthly cost breakdown

Mortgage and financing

• Both property types use similar loan structures. If your townhome is legally a condominium, FHA or VA buyers may need the project to be on an approved list. You can learn more about federal project approvals on the HUD site.

Property taxes

• Taxes are paid to DuPage County and other local taxing bodies. Illinois tends to have relatively high effective property tax rates compared with many states, which the Tax Foundation explains in its state property tax context.
• Townhomes often have lower assessed land value than similarly sized single-family homes due to smaller lot allocations. To review parcel-specific tax history, use the DuPage County property and assessor pages.

HOA fees

• Typical townhome HOA dues in Downers Grove often range from about $100 to $400+ per month. Fees vary by what is covered, such as exterior maintenance, roof, landscaping, snow removal, master insurance, and amenities.
• Ask about the HOA’s reserve balance and whether any special assessments are planned.

Maintenance and repairs

• A common planning rule for single-family homes is to set aside about 1 percent of the home’s value per year for routine upkeep and small repairs. Older or higher-end homes may require more.
• In a townhome, much of the exterior work is handled by the HOA, so your personal maintenance spending may be lower. That cost is effectively shifted into HOA dues.

Utilities and operating costs

• Shared walls in many townhomes can reduce heating and cooling loss, which may lower utility costs per square foot compared with a detached home.

Insurance

• Single-family owners typically carry an HO 3 homeowner policy that covers the structure and contents.
• Many townhome and condo owners carry an HO 6 unit owner policy that works alongside the HOA’s master policy. Confirm whether the master coverage is bare walls in or all in so you can choose appropriate coverage. The Insurance Information Institute outlines the differences.

Ownership and financing must-knows

If you are considering a townhome or any home within an association, request and review:

• Current budget and reserve study
• Recent meeting minutes
• Master insurance certificate and what it covers
• Rules, rental caps, and pet policies
• Any pending assessments, litigation, or projects
• Delinquency rate on dues

Financing notes:

• For condo-style townhomes, FHA and VA buyers should confirm building approval status early. Lenders also review HOA financials, insurance, and any litigation.
• Townhomes structured as fee simple with a private lot may be financed more like a single-family home.

Inspection notes:

• Single-family: Your inspection should evaluate the roof, structure, drainage, mechanicals, and any exterior elements.
• Townhome: In addition to inspecting the unit, verify which components are covered by the HOA. If roofs, siding, or other common elements show wear, your future costs may rise through higher dues or assessments.

Tax exemptions:

• Illinois homestead exemptions and local exemptions can reduce taxable value for qualifying owners. Confirm eligibility and process with DuPage County resources.

Lifestyle tradeoffs to consider

Yard and outdoor living

• Single-family: Private yard, room for gardens, play areas, and potential additions.
• Townhome: Smaller patios or limited private outdoor space. Some communities offer shared green areas.

Parking

• Single-family: Typically a private driveway and garage.
• Townhome: May include an attached garage, assigned spaces, or shared lots. Check guest parking rules.

Noise and privacy

• Shared walls in attached homes can transmit sound depending on construction quality. Detached homes offer more separation.

Time and maintenance

• Townhomes suit buyers who prefer limited yard work and less time on exterior upkeep.
• Single-family homes require more owner time for maintenance and landscaping.

Resale and long-term outlook

• Single-family homes often attract a broader buyer pool and have historically seen strong appreciation. Liquidity can be higher when you sell.
• Townhomes appeal to specific buyers such as first-time purchasers, downsizers, or commuters, and values can be more sensitive to HOA health and interest rates.

Market conditions change, but paying attention to HOA reserves, project maintenance, and your total monthly cost will help protect resale potential in either category. For broader market context and consumer trends, you can explore resources from the National Association of Realtors.

A simple decision matrix

Create a quick scoring system to compare how each property type fits your priorities. Assign weights 1 to 5 to what matters most, then score each option 1 to 5. Multiply and total.

Suggested criteria and example weights:

• Total monthly cost, mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA (weight 5)
• Purchase price and immediate affordability (4)
• Maintenance and time commitment (3)
• Space, yard, and storage (4)
• Privacy and noise (3)
• Resale potential and liquidity (4)
• Commute, location, and schools (5)
• HOA rules and flexibility (2)
• Investment upside and renovation potential (3)

Use the totals to guide your next tours or offers.

Touring checklist for value and fit

For both property types

• Age and condition of roof, furnace, AC, water heater, and windows. Ask for receipts and warranties.
• Look for water intrusion, drainage issues, basement moisture, and sump pump function.
• Review electrical panel size and wiring type. Ask about grounding and any older wiring.
• Check for structural clues such as foundation cracks, uneven floors, and doors that stick.
• Request recent utility bills to estimate monthly heating and cooling.

Additional checks for single-family

• Driveway, gutters, grading away from the foundation, and landscaping health.
• Tree placement relative to foundation and sewer lines.
• Any zoning or easements that may impact future additions or accessory structures. The Village of Downers Grove site provides permit guidance that can help your planning.

Additional checks for townhomes and HOAs

• Obtain the HOA packet before writing an offer. Review the budget, reserve study, insurance, rules, and minutes.
• Confirm what the HOA covers versus owner responsibility, including roof, exterior, snow removal, lawn care, and exterior insurance.
• Ask about past or planned special assessments and the HOA’s delinquency rate.
• Evaluate parking, guest space policies, mailbox access, and the condition of any common amenities.
• Do a sound test on shared walls at different times of day if possible.

Questions to ask the listing agent or HOA manager

• Have there been any recent assessments or are large projects planned?
• What is the current reserve fund level or percentage of the annual budget?
• Are there any active legal disputes that could impact owners?
• For townhomes, are utilities individually metered for each unit?

Next steps in your search

1. Get pre-approval with a local lender and ask about any FHA or VA requirements if you may buy a condo-style townhome. The HUD site is a helpful reference.

2. Ask your agent to pull active and recent sold comparables for both single-family homes and townhomes in your preferred areas. Look at median price, price per square foot, and days on market.

3. For townhomes, obtain the full HOA document package before you write an offer. Include contingency time to review financials and rules.

4. Schedule inspections tailored to the property type. Consider HOA financial reviews for larger complexes.

5. Use the decision matrix to compare total monthly cost, immediate repairs, and lifestyle fit after touring a few options of each type.

6. Consider resale. Review the inventory mix and recent outcomes for both types in the same neighborhood to understand where demand is strongest.

Ready to compare homes in Downers Grove with a clear plan? Reach out to The Jan Mackey Group for data-driven guidance, local insights, and a smooth process from tour to close.

FAQs

What are typical townhome HOA fees in Downers Grove?

• Many townhome HOAs range from about $100 to $400+ per month, depending on coverage such as exterior maintenance, snow removal, landscaping, master insurance, and amenities.

How do DuPage County property taxes impact my budget?

• Illinois property taxes are relatively high by national standards, and exact amounts vary by parcel, so review your target property on the DuPage County assessor site and plan taxes as a major part of the monthly payment.

Can I use FHA or VA financing for a Downers Grove townhome?

• Yes if the community is set up as a fee simple townhome you may proceed normally, but condo-style projects may require approval, which you can learn about on the HUD site.

What insurance do I need for a townhome versus a single-family home?

• Single-family owners usually carry an HO 3 policy that covers the structure and contents, while many townhome owners use an HO 6 policy that pairs with the HOA’s master policy as outlined by the Insurance Information Institute.

Do townhomes have lower utility costs than single-family homes?

• Shared walls in many townhomes can reduce energy loss, which often lowers heating and cooling costs per square foot compared with a detached home.

Which has better resale, single-family or townhome?

• Single-family homes tend to draw a wider buyer pool and often show strong appreciation, while townhome values can be more sensitive to HOA health and interest rates, so review both recent sales and HOA financials before you decide.