Condo vs Townhome in Franklin

The distinction sounds simple until you're standing in a listing on Columbia Avenue trying to figure out why one unit has an HOA fee three times higher than the one you toured yesterday in Berry Farms. Condos and townhomes share some DNA—they're both attached housing, both typically governed by an association, both popular with buyers who want less yard work—but the ownership structures, costs, and daily realities diverge in ways that matter more than most buyers expect.

Franklin has both options in solid supply heading into Spring 2026, so let's break down what actually separates them and which one fits your life better.

What You Actually Own (It's Not the Same)

With a townhome, you typically own the structure and the land beneath it. Your deed includes the lot, the walls, the roof—everything from the ground up. You're responsible for maintaining it, and you have more control over what you do with it.

A condo flips that model. You own the interior of your unit—essentially the air between the walls—and everything else is shared. The roof, exterior walls, parking areas, landscaping, hallways, elevators, pools: all common elements owned collectively by every unit owner in the association.

This distinction drives almost every other difference between the two, from insurance requirements to monthly fees to what happens when the siding needs replacing.

In Franklin, townhome communities like those in Westhaven or Lockwood Glen tend to function more like traditional neighborhoods where each owner handles their own exterior upkeep (within association guidelines). Condo developments closer to downtown or mixed-use areas operate more like collective ownership, where your monthly dues cover far more—but so does your exposure if the association faces a large expense.

Monthly Costs Break Down Differently

HOA fees for Franklin condos generally run higher than townhome HOA fees, and there's a straightforward reason: the association is responsible for more stuff. Condo HOAs typically cover exterior maintenance, roof repairs, landscaping, common area upkeep, insurance on the building structure, and sometimes utilities like water or trash. Townhome HOAs often cover less—maybe community amenities, landscaping of common spaces, and neighborhood standards enforcement.

But lower HOA fees for townhomes don't automatically mean lower total cost. As a townhome owner, you're on the hook for your own roof, your own exterior paint, your own driveway. Those costs don't show up monthly—they show up all at once when something fails.

Condos spread that financial risk across every owner, which is either comforting or frustrating depending on how well the association manages its reserve fund. (If you read our earlier piece on condo reserve funds, you already know why that number matters so much before you buy.)

A rough comparison for Franklin in Spring 2026: townhome HOAs might range from $100 to $350 per month depending on the community and its amenities. Condo HOAs can range from $250 to $600 or more, especially in communities with elevators, secured garages, or resort-style amenities.

Privacy, Noise, and Shared Walls

Both condos and townhomes share walls with neighbors. The difference is how many and where.

Townhomes are usually side-by-side, so you share one or two walls but have your own floors and ceilings. Nobody lives above you. Nobody lives below you. For families with kids or anyone who keeps unusual hours, that vertical separation matters more than people realize until they've lived without it.

Condos can share walls on any side—left, right, above, below. Construction quality varies enormously. A newer condo build in Franklin with modern sound insulation between floors feels very different from an older conversion. Always ask about the building's construction type and, if possible, visit during evening hours when neighbors are home.

Townhomes also typically come with a small private outdoor space—a patio, a fenced backyard, sometimes a garage with direct interior access. Condos may offer a balcony or shared courtyard, but private outdoor space is limited.

Resale and Appreciation Patterns

Townhomes in Franklin tend to appreciate more closely in line with single-family homes because the land component carries value independently. That lot you own underneath your townhome? It appreciates whether or not you renovate the kitchen.

Condos appreciate too, but their value ties more heavily to the health of the association, the condition of common areas, and the overall desirability of the building. A well-run condo association in a walkable Franklin location can perform beautifully. A poorly managed one with deferred maintenance can drag every unit's value down regardless of individual upgrades.

Investor buyers should also note that some condo associations in Franklin restrict short-term rentals or cap the percentage of units that can be rented at any given time. Townhome associations may have rental restrictions too, but they tend to be less restrictive. Always read the HOA documents before assuming a unit works for your investment strategy.

Matching Your Lifestyle to the Right Choice

If you want a lock-and-leave lifestyle with minimal personal maintenance responsibility, a condo handles that well—especially for frequent travelers, busy professionals, or anyone downsizing from a large property. Franklin's condo options near downtown put you within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and community events without the burden of yard care.

If you want more space, more privacy, and more control over your property while still avoiding a full single-family home's workload, a townhome delivers that middle ground. Communities throughout Franklin offer townhomes with two-car garages, multiple stories, and enough square footage to feel like a house without the Saturday morning spent edging the lawn.

Neither option is universally better. The right one depends on how you want to spend your weekends, how much control you want over your space, and how you feel about shared financial responsibility with your neighbors.