Picture your weeknight: quick hop to I‑93, a 15–20 minute ride to Manchester, then home to unwind. If you are choosing between a Londonderry condo and a single-family home, the right fit comes down to how you live, what you want to maintain, and your real monthly costs. You want clarity you can act on, not guesswork. This guide breaks down costs, upkeep, financing, and resale so you can decide with confidence. Let’s dive in.
Monthly cost: condo vs single-family
Your best comparison is a total cost of ownership snapshot. Use this monthly template for any property you are considering in Londonderry:
- Mortgage principal and interest
- Property taxes / 12
- Insurance (HO‑3 for single-family or HO‑6 for condos) / 12
- HOA/condo fee (if any)
- Utilities estimate (heat, electric, water, sewer, trash) / 12
- Maintenance and repairs reserve
- Commuting and parking costs
- Special assessment risk estimate (if applicable)
A few notes as you plug in numbers:
- Property taxes vary by assessed value. Review the latest tax bill and assessment on the town site and divide by 12 for a monthly figure.
- Condo HOA fees often bundle exterior maintenance, roofing, snow removal, landscaping, trash, and sometimes master insurance. That lowers your daily maintenance but raises your fixed monthly line.
- Insurance is different by type. A single-family typically uses an HO‑3 policy covering the whole structure. A condo typically uses an HO‑6 policy that covers the interior and personal property. Verify any master policy deductibles or loss assessment exposure.
- Utilities and water/sewer vary. Some Londonderry homes are on municipal water and sewer, while others use private wells and septic. That affects your utility mix, inspections, and long-term capital planning.
- Commuting costs add up. If you prioritize quick access to I‑93 or the airport, compare mileage, tolls, and time from each property.
Day-to-day living differences
Single-family homes
- Responsibilities: You handle all exterior and interior maintenance. That includes roof, siding, driveway, lawn care, snow removal, septic or well service, and all mechanical systems.
- Lifestyle: You gain privacy, yard space, storage, and flexibility for projects, subject to local zoning. Many buyers who want outdoor space or room for vehicles prefer this route.
- Seasonal realities: New Hampshire winters mean snow removal, roof and ice management, heating system servicing, and potential tree and yard work. Budget time or money for help.
Condominiums and townhouses
- Responsibilities: The HOA typically covers exterior maintenance, roofing, landscaping, and common-area snow removal and utilities. You maintain your interior finishes and in-unit systems, based on the association documents.
- Lifestyle: You trade some privacy and exterior control for convenience, less upkeep, and potential shared amenities. Closer neighbors and rules on modifications are common.
- Winter convenience: Plowing and sidewalk clearing handled by the association can be a big benefit for downsizers and busy commuters.
Financing and resale factors
Condo warrantability and loan options
- Lender standards: Many lenders require condo projects to meet owner-occupancy, reserve funding, and litigation guidelines. Projects that do not meet those standards often require larger down payments or different loan terms.
- Government-backed loans: FHA and VA loans require project-level approvals. If you plan to use one of these, check whether the association is approved early in your search.
- Appraisals: Condos can have fewer comparable sales within the same association, which sometimes affects appraisal outcomes and timelines.
What drives resale in Londonderry
- Location: Access and proximity to I‑93 and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport influence both convenience and potential noise.
- Services and utilities: Municipal water and sewer can be a plus for many buyers. Private well and septic require extra due diligence and ongoing care.
- Single-family value drivers: Lot size, curb appeal, condition, and storage or parking capacity are frequent priorities.
- Condo value drivers: The association’s financial health, reserves, meeting minutes, owner-to-renter ratio, and any special assessment history all affect marketability.
Local due-diligence checklists
For any Londonderry property
- Confirm municipal water/sewer or private well/septic; if septic, schedule a certified septic inspection.
- Review recent tax bills and the assessed value. Ask about the tax history.
- Order a full home inspection and consider radon testing.
- Check flood risk for the specific address and whether flood insurance may apply.
- Test-drive your commute at peak hours from the exact address.
If you are buying a single-family home
- Verify age and condition of roof, heating system, electrical panel, windows, and foundation.
- Ask about recent major repairs and any known deferred maintenance.
- Review local zoning setbacks and any limits on additions or exterior structures.
If you are buying a condo or townhouse
Request and review before you commit:
- CC&Rs, bylaws, and rules
- Current budget, reserve study, and audited financials
- Meeting minutes for the last 12–24 months
- Special assessment history and planned projects
- Master insurance certificate and deductible details
- Owner vs renter percentages and rental/pet policies
- Parking setup, guest parking, and snow removal specifics
- Whether the project is eligible for your intended financing
How to choose what fits you
- Choose a single-family if you want privacy, yard space, and long-term flexibility, and you are ready to own exterior maintenance.
- Choose a condo if you prefer low-maintenance living, predictable HOA-covered services, and a location near key routes with less day-to-day upkeep.
- Still unsure? Run a side-by-side monthly TCO for two real properties, then filter by your top two lifestyle priorities: commute, yard, renovation flexibility, or lock-and-leave convenience.
When you are ready to compare real homes and associations in Londonderry, connect with Greg & Krystal Sherwin for tailored guidance, local intel on utilities and HOAs, and a step-by-step plan to your best fit.
FAQs
In Londonderry, which is cheaper each month: a condo or a single-family home?
- It depends on HOA fees, taxes, utilities, and maintenance; use the monthly TCO template to compare specific properties side by side.
What should I review before buying a Londonderry condo?
- Get CC&Rs, bylaws, budget, reserve study, recent minutes, insurance certificate, owner-occupancy ratio, special assessment history, and parking and snow details.
How risky are special assessments in condo associations?
- Risk rises when reserves are low, projects are deferred, or big items like roofs and paving near end-of-life; review the reserve study and recent capital work.
Do condos limit renovations compared with single-family homes?
- Yes; exterior changes and structural or systems work usually need HOA approval, while single-family homes allow more flexibility within zoning rules.
Are wells and septic systems common in Londonderry?
- Some areas use municipal water and sewer, while others rely on private wells and septic; confirm at each property and plan inspections accordingly.
