Townhouse living is an excellent alternative to buying a single-family home for first-time home owners and empty nesters alike. In general, a townhouse requires less care than a single-family house, making it ideal for people seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle. Additionally, townhouses are easier to rent out than single-family homes, so they're great for making money off of while you're not living there. The price of townhouses varies depending on the community you choose but generally range from $150,000 to $500,000. Many towns have programs where you can buy a townhouse for below market rate if you make certain contributions to local charities or government agencies. For example, Townhome 2 You has homes in Northbrook, IL that can be bought for as little as 6% down. These products are marketed as being affordable but still provide many of the amenities you'd find in a more expensive unit. There are several different types of townhouses, each with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The two most common types are one-story townhouses and two-story townhouses. One-story units tend to be smaller and cheaper than two-story units, which usually mean fewer rooms but better value for money. Two-story units are usually larger and require more maintenance because of the additional stairs they have to climb.