What’s a Ranch Condo?

The other day a prospective client was telling me what they wanted in a home.  As I listened to their description, a ranch condo came to mind that might work so I started to tell them about the home….”There is a three bedroom ranch condo near Highway 92 and Hames Road in a small active adult neighborhood.”  Immediately I noticed a puzzled look on the lady’s face and stopped talking and asked if there was a problem?  Her response, “What’s a ranch condo?”. I chuckled, “Sorry I was speaking real estate” and went on to explain.{[}]

{[}]A ranch condo is a single level home that attachs to several other homes (usually four)  under one roof.  Each home has its own front door and entry; each home has a garage with two garages side by side; there are two common adjoining walls with one being the garage; and there is a Homeowners Association that maintains the exterior of the building and grounds.  As a rule these communities are for people downsizing from larger homes, that want the amenities and ambiance of a single family home.  The homes are two and three bedrooms; two or more bathrooms; some have patios, sunrooms, or screened porch.  Most have 2 car garages, occasionally a basement, and some storage area.  The interior finish work is very similar to a single family home with heavy moldings, granite, tile and more.{[}]{[}]There are several wonderful active adult neighborhoods with these homes in Cherokee County, Cobb County and Fulton County.  Some neighborhoods are new construction and some are resales; prices will range from $170,000 to $350,000.  After the explanation, the lady thought this might be just what she and her husband were looking for and we are going house hunting soon.