Why Townhomes Are Popular with Today’s First-Time Buyers

Townhomes Are a Smart First Step for Massachusetts First-Time Buyers

Buying your first home in Massachusetts can feel frustrating — especially when the numbers don’t match what you expected.

You may know you’re ready. You’ve saved. You’ve planned.
But finding a home that fits your lifestyle and your budget in today’s MA market can still feel like a challenge.

That’s where townhomes come in.

Townhomes are becoming a bigger part of today’s housing supply, and that shift is opening doors for first-time buyers across Massachusetts — from the North Shore to MetroWest, the Merrimack Valley, and beyond. They offer a more realistic path to homeownership without stretching yourself too thin, especially in a market where affordability is still tight.

There Are More Townhomes To Choose From

Builders are building more townhomes than they have in decades.

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), nearly 1 in 5 new single-family homes being built today is a townhome — the highest share on record.

To put that in perspective, just a decade ago, townhomes made up closer to 1 in 10 new construction homes.

That’s a big deal for Massachusetts buyers, because inventory here has stayed limited for years — especially for starter homes. More townhomes being built means buyers may finally have more options that feel realistic.

Why Townhomes Work So Well in Massachusetts

In many Massachusetts communities, detached single-family homes have become harder to find at an entry-level price point.

That’s why townhomes are often one of the best ways for first-time buyers to finally get their foot in the door — while still getting space, privacy, and the chance to build equity.

And since there are more available today, you may have more opportunity than you think.

Townhomes Tend To Be More Affordable

While prices vary by town, Redfin data shows townhomes are typically priced lower than detached single-family homes nationally — and that price gap has grown in recent years.

In Massachusetts, this can matter even more. In many areas, townhomes can offer a more attainable monthly payment compared to a traditional single-family home in the same neighborhood.

There are two main reasons you may find a better deal on a townhome today:

Reason #1: Size

Townhomes are usually smaller by design.

Most modern townhomes fall in the 1,300–1,500 square foot range, which helps keep overall pricing (and monthly payments) lower.

Because they have a smaller footprint, they often cost less to build — and that makes them less expensive to buy, too.

As Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at NewHomeSource, explains:

“With the high cost of housing across the country, townhomes have emerged as a vital, more accessible entry point into homeownership... offering buyers – especially first-timers... the chance to build equity without breaking the bank.”

Reason #2: Builder Motivation (Hello, Incentives 👀)

Here’s another thing working in your favor:

With more new construction inventory available than we’ve seen in recent years, builders are motivated to sell what they’ve already built.

That means many may be more willing to negotiate — whether that’s price flexibility, closing cost credits, mortgage rate buydowns, or even upgrades.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

“Home builders say they’re ready to attract more first-time home buyers... Roughly two-thirds of builders also offered additional incentives, like mortgage rate buydowns.”

In Massachusetts, this can be a major advantage because resale homes often sell fast — and sellers don’t always feel the need to offer concessions.

With new construction townhomes, buyers may have more room to negotiate.

Bottom Line

If buying your first home in Massachusetts feels just out of reach, the right option might not be a different timeline.

It might be a different type of home.

Townhomes can be a smart first step into homeownership — giving you a more affordable entry point, less maintenance, and the ability to start building equity sooner.

If you want to talk through whether a townhome makes sense for you, or see what’s available in your area, let’s connect.