Real estate terminology varies a lot across the country, and one of the first things I do with clients relocating to Seattle is make sure we're speaking the same language. The word "condo" means something very specific here. So does "townhome." And what people call a townhome in some parts of the country, we'd call something else entirely.

Here's a plain-language breakdown of the four main property types you'll encounter in Seattle, whether you're renting or buying.

Apartments

An apartment in Seattle is always a rental. Always. You cannot purchase an apartment unit. That's not how the ownership structure works. If you're looking to buy, you're not looking at apartments.

Apartment buildings are owned by a single entity, whether a private landlord, a property management company, or a large institutional owner. The individual units are leased to tenants. You rent from the building, not from an individual owner.

In terms of size, Seattle apartments run mostly studios, one bedrooms, and two bedrooms. Three-bedroom apartments exist but are relatively rare and come at a significant price premium. If you need three bedrooms, a townhome or single family home rental is usually a more practical path.

Apartments in Seattle range from small vintage buildings with a handful of units to large high-rise communities with hundreds of units, amenity packages, and on-site leasing staff. Both ends of the spectrum and everything in between exist here.

In short: Apartment means rental. No exceptions.

Condos

A condo is the ownership version of apartment-style living. The concept is the same: you're living in a building with other residents, sharing walls, ceilings, and floors, and accessing the building through common areas. The difference is that individual units in a condo building can be purchased. You own your specific unit and typically pay monthly HOA (homeowners association) dues that cover shared building expenses like maintenance, insurance, and amenities.

Condos in Seattle are not always high-rises. They come in all shapes and sizes: low-rise buildings with a handful of units, mid-rise buildings, and yes, full high-rise towers with city or water views. The building style varies widely by neighborhood.

Here's where it gets relevant for renters: a condo owner can choose to rent their unit out. So it's entirely possible to rent a condo rather than buy one. You're renting from an individual owner rather than a building management company, which means the experience can feel more personal and the unit often has more individual character. Lease terms and policies may vary more than they would in a purpose-built apartment building.

Like apartments, condos in Seattle are mostly studios, one bedrooms, and two bedrooms. Three-bedroom condos exist but are less common and carry a price premium.

In short: Condos can be purchased or rented. Stacked living like an apartment, but with individual ownership possible.

Townhomes

This is where terminology gets most confusing for people relocating from other parts of the country. In many cities, people use "townhome" and "condo" interchangeably. In Seattle, we don't. They are distinct property types and the difference matters.

A townhome in Seattle is a multi-story attached home, typically two to four stories tall, most commonly three. They are tall and narrow by design. You share one or two walls with a neighboring unit, but you have your own front door at street level, your own floors, and your own rooftop or outdoor space. There is no unit above or below you.

Parking varies: some townhomes have an attached garage, others have a reserved outdoor parking space. Outdoor space also varies by age of the building. Older townhomes often have a small patch of grass or a ground-level outdoor area. Newer townhomes have largely replaced that with private rooftop decks, which in Seattle, with the right weather and the right view, is a genuine upgrade.

Townhomes typically offer more bedrooms than apartments or condos. Two and three bedrooms are most common. They feel more like a house than a stacked building, which appeals to people who want more space and privacy without committing to a full single family home.

Like condos, townhomes can be purchased or rented. A townhome owner can choose to rent their home out, so you may find townhomes available from an individual owner rather than a property management company. They exist across Seattle's neighborhoods and price points.

In short: Townhomes are tall, narrow, multi-story attached homes with their own entrance. Not the same as a condo, even though some people use the terms interchangeably.

Single Family Homes

A single family home is a freestanding structure on its own lot, with no shared walls. It's what most people picture when they say "a house." You have a front door, a yard of some kind (though Seattle lot sizes vary considerably by neighborhood), and no shared walls with neighbors.

Single family homes in Seattle can be rented or purchased. On the rental side, they are the most competitive and least pet-flexible segment of the market. On the purchase side, they remain the most sought-after property type and still see bidding wars in most Seattle neighborhoods.

Square footage, lot size, age, and condition vary enormously. Seattle's single family housing stock includes everything from 1920s craftsman bungalows in established neighborhoods to new construction homes in developing areas.

In short: A freestanding house on its own lot. Available to rent or buy, but the most competitive in both categories.

A Quick Reference

To summarize the key distinctions:

Apartments: Always rental, never for purchase. Studios to 2 bedrooms most common, 3 bedrooms rare and expensive. Stacked living in a building owned by one entity.

Condos: Can be purchased or rented from an individual owner. Same stacked living concept as an apartment but with individual unit ownership. Studios to 2 bedrooms most common, 3 bedrooms less common.

Townhomes: Can be purchased or rented. Multi-story attached homes, typically 2 to 4 stories, with their own entrance. Usually 2 to 3 bedrooms. Older ones often have ground-level outdoor space; newer ones typically have rooftop decks. Not the same as a condo.

Single Family Homes: Freestanding, no shared walls, own lot. Can be rented or purchased. Most competitive property type in both categories.

Why It Matters

When you call me and tell me you're looking for a condo, I'm going to ask whether you mean you want to purchase a unit in a stacked building, or whether you actually want a townhome with your own entrance and multiple floors. The answer changes the search entirely.

Getting clear on terminology before you start touring saves time and makes sure we're all looking for the same thing. If you're not sure which property type fits your life, that's exactly the kind of question I help people work through.

Reach out at KimReidy.com and let's figure it out together.