Row homes make a comeback

By Melissa Wirkus

As times are changing in the housing market and real estate world in general, so are housing styles. San Diego is now seeing an old-style of housing make a comeback throughout the county.

Condominiums are becoming blasé as the focus is switched to sheik and modern row homes.

A September 10, 2006 article by Roger M. Showley of The San Diego Union Tribune, “A new kind of condo,” takes a look into this alternative type of housing.

“Row homes – a classic housing type that's centuries old – are making a comeback in San Diego County. Only this time, they're arriving as detached, single-family housing on tiny urban infill lots that are structured within a condominium, but with no condo association hassles or dues.”

Many people are attracted to this style because it is different from a traditional detached, single-family home, and does not have the daily annoyances of those pesky condo associations. It seems like the perfect median between a conventional residential home and a condo.

“But unlike standard condo and town-house developments, these row homes involve no common area to maintain and therefore require no homeowners association or dues. The condo subdivision setup is needed because city zoning standards do not allow single homes on lots of the size typically occupied by a row home.”

“Outwardly, they look like attached town houses, but hidden from view is a 2-inch separation between homes that is covered by flashing. An imaginary lot line divides the properties from each other, making it possible for each owner to have full control over the building and the ground it sits on.”

Normally, row homes have a very small backyard, or no backyard at all, and many have rooftop gardens or desks. They are two or three stories high, so they utilize there space vertically, not horizontally.

They are popular amongst many different age groups, but are gaining in popularity amongst young couples with no children and singles.
Although they seem to be gaining in popularity, the slowing market may prevent many people from buying.

“Sarah (Garcia), a personnel manager for a finished carpentry company, said the urban row home concept hits all her hot buttons. It's within walking distance of shopping and entertainment, it sports a sleek, edgy architecture and it has room for the couple's dog and a child in the future. However, the Garcias have decided they cannot buy at this time because they cannot sell their condo at a high enough price to generate the needed down payment.”

Row homes are perfect for our current environment right now since land is getting so scarce. Developers and planners in San Diego, and other densely populated areas our finding it is getting harder and harder to find pieces of land to develop on.

Row homes utilize a much smaller amount of land than other traditional homes and condos.

“Now, with freeways clogged, houses increasingly unaffordable and crab grass invading those green laws, in-city living is getting a second look. In San Diego, downtown high-rise condos have been the rage since the turn of the millennium, but row homes are coming into their own.”

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