Are Condos & Townhomes The Next Housing Boom?

The Star Tribune has a good article discussing the demographic changes coming to the Twin Cities in the coming years and how cities and housing are not currently designed for the needs of our aging population.  The best explanation of the trend is found in their infographic:
(image courtesy Star Tribune)

So while new housing built in the last 20 years targeted larger households, the growth in households in the next 5 years is in smaller households.  But not so fast!  Currently there is a glut of townhomes and condos for sale so some of the future demand will be satisfied by this inventory:

Months Supply of Homes for Sale in the Twin Cities

(image courtesy MAAR)

Condo Associations Need FHA Approval To Remain Competitive

This recent story below points out how important FHA financing is in today’s market and that the efforts of associations can improve or damage the saleability of their homes depending on how they are run.  FHA blanket association approval is only needed for condominium projects – townhome developments can be financed with FHA without the special association approval.

One thing to note is that some townhomes are considered condos as well – you need to look at the legal description of the property to discover whether the property is classified as a condo or townhome.  If it says “Lot x Block x……” you are ok.  If the property has Condo or CIC in the legal description it most likely falls under the rules requiring FHA approval of the association.

Associations Can No Longer Ignore FHA Approval

RISMEDIA, July 16, 2010—The screaming and cursing you hear in unit 404 isn’t coming from Mr. Armbrister’s television—Armbrister has just learned that another potential sale of his condominium unit fell through due to the buyer’s inability to obtain financing. In this case, the buyer wanted to purchase Armbrister’s condo unit with an FHA loan—Armbrister’s homeowners association, however, had neglected to obtain FHA approval.

Full Story

Downtown Minneapolis Condos and Townhouses

Looking for a condo or townhome in and around downtown Minneapolis? Click below for quick search links to all the developments:

North Loop

212 Lofts
5th Avenue Lofts
710 Lofts
720 Lofts
730 Lofts
801 Washington Lofts
918 Lofts
Bassett Creek Lofts
Bookmen Lofts
Bookmen Stacks
Harvester Lofts
Herschel Lofts
The Itasca Lofts
The Landings
Lindsay Lofts
Renaissance on the River
River Station
Riverwalk Lofts
Rock Island Lofts
Security Warehouse Lofts
SO+HO
Tower Lofts
Whitney Square
Lofts at International Market Square

Mill District (Downtown East)

607 Washington Lofts
American Trio Lofts
Bridgewater Lofts
Humboldt Lofts
Metropolitan Lofts
North Star Lofts
Park Avenue Lofts
Stone Arch Lofts
Washburn Lofts
The Whitney
The Zenith

Central Business District (Downtown West)

The Carlyle
Centre Village
City Heights
The Crossings
The Ivy
Riverwest
Six Quebec
The Towers

East Bank

Citiscape Townhomes
Calumet Lofts
Colbalt Condominiums
Grove Street Flats
The Falls
The Pinnacle
Flour Sack Flats
La Rive
Lourdes Square Townhomes
Marquette Townhomes
Phoenix on the River
River Park Townhomes
St. Anthony in Towne
Village @ St. Anthony Falls
Brownstones
Lofts
Townhomes
West Island Avenue Condominiums
Winslow House

Equal Housing Opportunity and REALTOR logo

TwinCitiesRealEstateBlog.com is not a Multiple Listing Service MLS, nor does it offer MLS access.
This website is a service of Aaron Dickinson of Edina Realty, a broker Participant of the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc.