Posted by Luke Bouman on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 9:00am.
By Luke Bouman | Luke Bouman Real Estate Team | October 2026
Condos and townhomes fill an important niche in West Michigan, offering lower-maintenance ownership for downsizers, first-time buyers, second-home owners, and anyone who wants to skip the yard work. But buying attached housing involves considerations single-family buyers do not face. Here is what to know.
When you buy a condo or townhome, you are buying into a homeowners association that maintains common areas and often the building exterior. Your monthly dues fund that. Before buying, review exactly what the dues cover, the association's rules, and how well it is run. A well-managed association is an asset. A poorly run one is a liability you inherit.
The single most important document is the reserve study, which shows whether the association has enough money set aside for major future repairs like roofs, siding, and private roads. An underfunded reserve means special assessments are likely coming, and you want to price that risk in before you buy, not discover it after. Ask for the reserve study and the history of special assessments.
Condo financing has additional layers, since lenders evaluate the association's financial health, owner-occupancy ratios, and litigation history, not just your finances. Some condos are harder to finance than others. Knowing this up front prevents surprises during the loan process. Townhomes that are fee-simple, where you own the land, often finance more like single-family homes.
Condos and townhomes suit buyers who value low-maintenance, lock-and-leave living: downsizers, second-home buyers, and those who would rather spend weekends on the lake than mowing. If that is you, the tradeoff of monthly dues for freedom from maintenance is often well worth it. The Lakeshore's most reviewed real estate team. Call (616) 344-9923.
Related: Downsizing Guide | Cottages of Chapel Hill | First-Time Home Buyer Guide