David Barr Here a condo is a type of ownership. A condo can be a unit in a building or a townhome as opposed to a towmhome with an HOA.

A condo is a form of ownership and can be one story, two story townhouse , or in a building with many units or detached in my area. I do not know about Florida.

In my area there are two type of classification:

1. Detached for Single Family Homes

2. Attached for Condos & Townhomes

Condominium is a type of ownership here. It could be a single story unit in a low or midrise, or 2 or more stories, then referred to as a townhome style. And if  there are just 2 units attached, they are normally called twinhomes (or duplexes in some other parts of the country). Some twimhomes are actually fee simple ownership, not condo.

David, I have seen the verbiage in different states.  We have attached and detached, and don't haggle over terminology.  

Condos relate to the form of ownership, not to the type of structure.

A community, several actually, where ground level property were single floor much like apartments or the expectation of condo STYLE.

Above these are what would commonly be referred to as town homes. multistory, vaulted ceiling.

And a few free standing villas.

All however are condo ownership. 

And, when the listing agent defers to what is recorded in the tax records or property appraiser website AND the buyer agent fails to read the details, disappointment can occur.

Since GARMIN enables all agents to project themselves as expert in all areas, more disappointment is inevitable.

Distinguishing between 'construction style' and ownership falls upon the professional involved.

parked and reading

 we don't seem to have the problem in this area. I think it all depends upon the rules and regulations of the HOA.

We have two story condos and we have some townhouses with a first floor unit and second floor unit. Yes the terminology can be confusing.

Good morning David. Not sure why there would be an issue with classifying condo, other than when it incorrectly classified.

All the terminology is confusing to the consumer. In our area condo has to do with zoning and not a style. We have no highrise buildings or condos. In a buyers mind it means an attached unit that has exterior maintenance covered by the HOA. Townhouse doesn't necessarily mean it has steps in our market. All so confusing.

Here's my take.  There are 3 types of properties

1- Single Family Home 2- Condo 3- Detached Condo

I explain to my clients that there used to be only two types of home attached or detached.  The average size of the land for a detached was 4,000 sq. ft. or larger.  It was decided that there needed to be a way of putting more detached homes on a smaller parcels so they came up with the detached town home or detached condo.

Our MLS wants us to list them as a condo but we don't, we list them as a single family home.