Choosing the right townhome can often feel overwhelming. With so many options to consider — from layout and design, to square footage and style — it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Here at Activa, we’re committed to making that process easier.
At Activa, we build a variety of townhome types across our Waterloo Region communities, each thoughtfully designed to offer spacious living options while remaining budget-friendly. Our townhomes vary in size and style, which means there’s an option for everyone — whether you’re a renter, first-time homebuyer, a growing family, or someone looking to rightsize, we have something for you!
To help you navigate your choices, we’re breaking down the different types of townhomes we build and what makes each unique. Keep reading to discover which Activa townhome is the perfect match for your lifestyle!
Freehold Townhomes:
A freehold townhome is connected to other dwellings on either side (or a single side, in the case of an end unit). It is similar to a Single Detached home, meaning that you own the physical house and the property it sits on. You are responsible for all improvements, repairs, and maintenance inside and outside the home, but this gives you the freedom to make your house your own! Freehold townhomes tend to be larger and more expensive than condo townhomes, however, you don’t pay extra maintenance fees for common areas or condo association fees.
A freehold townhome is a great fit if you are looking to enter the market, looking to right-size, or if you’re looking for an excellent investment opportunity. Overall, the most crucial and beneficial benefit of buying a freehold townhouse is that you are 100% in control over your home. That means your new house is a blank canvas. You can decorate, upgrade, and maintain your house according to your budget and lifestyle!
PURCHASE TODAY:
Explore our Freehold Townhome options by clicking here.
Condo Townhomes:
Condo townhomes are situated in a planned condo community run by a governing board of directors known as a condo board. As a condo owner, you elect and vote for a board of directors, or you can become a director yourself. The board of directors will oversee the business affairs of the condominium corporation. Their responsibilities include:
- Ensure the corporation is run in compliance with the Condominium Act
- Tracking the condominium’s financial performance
- Ensuring all required maintenance and repairs are completed
- Propose changes to condominium by-laws
- Enact rules to promote the safety, security, and welfare of all owners
- Provide regular communication with the other owners
The pros of condominium ownership are that you have fewer maintenance and repair responsibilities. Owners are only responsible for maintaining and repairing everything inside the unit, and a majority of the exterior maintenance is managed by someone else, which is paid as part of your monthly condo fees. There are a number of different condo townhome styles that we will walk through below.
Stacked Condo Townhome
Stacked condo townhomes are essentially units that vertically stack on top of one another, with one unit often occupying the lower floors (garden unit) and others occupying the upper floors. This townhome style gives homeowners more separation than a typical condo as each unit has its own exterior front door and there are no elevators or shared lobbies. Our Stacked Condo Townhomes range from one floor to two floors of living space, depending on the unit, and typically have terraces or balconies for each unit.
If you are someone who travels a lot or you have a busy work schedule, a Stacked Townhome might be a great fit for you! These homes are perfect for a lock-and-go lifestyle or someone looking for more compact, affordable living. You can feel confident in your purchase knowing there is less maintenance than a Single Detached home or freehold townhome, leaving you with plenty of time to do the things you love most!
PURCHASE TODAY:
Explore our Stacked Condo Townhome options by clicking here.
Back-to-Back Condo Townhome
Back-to-Back Condo Townhomes share walls on the sides and rear, backing onto another home, with windows only on the front providing ample natural light (unless you are purchasing an end of corner unit) and front-facing balconies. Back-to-Back Townhomes are growing in popularity for all sorts of homeowners and investors who value functionality as they make efficient use of space due to limited exterior walls.. They are typically built slab-on-grade so you have three full levels above grade.
PURCHASE TODAY:
Explore our Back-to-Back Condo Townhome options by clicking here.
Two-Storey Condo Townhomes
Two-Storey Townhomes are likely what you imagine when you think of traditional townhomes with a main and upper floor arranged vertically and a basement. They share side walls with the neighbouring home and can vary in terms of how many units are in one building.
Two-Storey Townhomes often include small backyards or patios, and allow for more clearly separated spaces within the interior layout.
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Explore our Two-Storey Condo Townhomes by clicking here.
Three-Storey Condo Townhome
A Three-Storey Condo Townhome is built slab-on-grade, which means it has no basement and three distinct floors above grade – garage and flex space on the ground level, living spaces on the second floor and bedrooms on the top level. A Three-Storey Townhome is perfect for growing families or buyers seeking extra privacy with the amount of space it offers, maximizing it’s smaller footprint with more vertical living.
PURCHASE TODAY:
Explore our Three-Storey Condo Townhome options by clicking here.
Rear-Garage Condo Townhome
A Rear-Garage Condo Townhome is similar to a Three-Storey Condo Townhome; the difference is that the garage is accessed from behind the unit rather than the front, through a private laneway. The benefit of the Rear Garage is that your main entrance’s curb appeal is enhanced – enjoy the benefit a pedestrian-friendly streetscape and a garage hidden from steet-view.
Rear-Garage Condo Townhomes often have large windows, front porches or terraces to allow more natural light into the home.
PURCHASE TODAY:
Explore our Rear-Garage Condo Townhome options by clicking here.
Condo Villas
A Condo Villa is a single building with separate homes on the upper floors and lower floors. It is similar to a stacked condo townhome, with less units per block. Condo Villas are a great fit for people who seek fewer stairs as they are designed to feel spacious, accessible and easy to maintain. They are also great for those who enjoy the outdoors, as the upper units all offer a balcony on each floor, and many of the lower units offer a walkout patio.
PURCHASE TODAY:
Explore our Condo Villa options by clicking here.
Looking for a townhome in the Waterloo Region?
Each townhome style is catered to distinct lifestyles, preferences and stages of life, providing diverse home rental and ownership opportunities within condo communities. Plus, the townhomes offered by Activa are placed in great, family-friendly neighbourhoods near schools, parks, and the other amenities you love. We are also proud to build our townhomes with careful attention to fire and sound separation to ensure our homeowners’ privacy, comfort, and safety – as well as to ENERGY STAR® certification, providing more home comfort and energy savings.
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