Greetings Bev:

Detached Single Family Homes-- are always a better investment than condos.

I would invest in the home in Thornton.

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All the best, Kathryn

Hello Bev,

Todd is right, typically appreciation is better on a single family home, but there are a lot of other factors as well.

It depends on your goals and what your definition of "investment" is. Are you going to live there, or are you going to rent it out. Is your goal appreciation or rental income. Then rents will impact the equation. More sq ft in a condo and better condition may get you a better rent, but the HOA dues may offset that. If the condo complex is in great shape now, but goes down hill over the next few years. Or if the opposite happens, and it becomes nicer, then your appreciation will be different. Check very carefully into the reserves of the HOA if you choose a condo.

Also, Adams county is getting hit with the credit crunch. If you are using a conventional loan, in a lot of cases, lenders are requiring 5% more down that if you were purchasing in a different county or zip code. Check with your lender about this as it may impact your decision. This will affect buyers and seller for a few years I predict and could affect your exit strategy as well.

It may help you to ask your REALTOR for a price history for both condo's and single family homes in the area's you are looking. That could give you a better idea of where things are headed.

Good luck!
Ginger

Hi Bev....

Typically, return on investment wise, a single family home has always seen better appreciation and value stability in the market.

Todd Norsted