Priced out of a single-family home? Explore South Bay condos and townhomes for a more affordable path to buying in Santa Clara County.
If you’ve been searching for a home in Cupertino, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, or San Jose and wondering, “Is there anything I can actually afford?” you’re not alone. South Bay home prices can make homeownership feel out of reach—especially for first-time buyers focused only on single-family homes.
But sometimes, the solution isn’t giving up on homeownership. It’s expanding the search.
As a local Realtor, I approach this like a real estate diagnosis. Before deciding that buying isn’t possible, let’s look at the full picture: your budget, lifestyle, space needs, monthly payment, and the different types of homes available. A condo or townhome may offer a path into the South Bay real estate market without stretching every last dollar.
South Bay Condos and Townhomes Offer More Options
Many buyers begin their search with one goal: a detached single-family home.
There’s nothing wrong with that goal. But limiting your search to one property type can significantly reduce the number of homes you see.
Nationally, HousingWire Data reported approximately 233,030 condos and townhomes for sale in June—the highest June inventory level in at least a decade and more than double the number available in 2022.
Of course, the South Bay is not the national market.
Inventory can vary dramatically between Santa Clara homes for sale, condos in Sunnyvale, townhomes in San Jose, and properties near Cupertino. But the larger trend is worth paying attention to: buyers may have more choices in the condo and townhome market than they realize.
More options can mean more time to compare properties and, depending on the specific home and local competition, more room to negotiate.
Why Condos and Townhomes Can Cost Less
The biggest advantage for many buyers is the lower entry price.
According to the National Association of Realtors, the national median condo price in June was $380,000, compared with $446,400 for a median single-family home—a difference of more than $66,000.
Local South Bay pricing is, of course, much different from national averages. But the general principle often applies: condos and townhomes can provide a more accessible entry point than comparable detached homes.
A smaller property typically requires less square footage, and attached housing can offer buyers an opportunity to purchase in a desirable location at a lower price point than a detached home.
For someone who doesn’t need a large yard, several extra bedrooms, or maximum privacy, that tradeoff may be worth considering.
And the lower purchase price can potentially affect more than just the down payment. It may also influence the loan amount and monthly housing costs.
Sunnyvale Home Buying Tips: Expand Your Search Before Giving Up
One of my most practical Sunnyvale home buying tips is this: don’t assume you’re priced out until you’ve explored the full range of properties available to you.
When buyers tell me, “There are no homes in my budget,” I often want to understand exactly what they have been searching for.
Are they looking only at detached homes? Have they excluded townhomes? Are condos automatically filtered out? Are there neighborhoods just outside their original search area that could work?
Sometimes the answer is still that the current budget and goals don’t align—and that’s important information, too.
But sometimes expanding the search creates possibilities buyers hadn’t considered.
The goal isn’t to convince someone to buy a condo when they truly need a detached home. The goal is to make sure we’re diagnosing the problem accurately before deciding there isn’t a solution.
Condo vs. Townhome vs. Single-Family Home
Choosing the right type of property isn’t just about the purchase price. Each option comes with different ownership structures, maintenance responsibilities, privacy levels, and lifestyle considerations.
Single-Family Detached Home
With a traditional detached home, you generally own both the structure and the land it sits on.
The advantages often include more privacy, more space, and greater control over the property. You don’t share walls with neighbors, and you typically have more freedom over your home and outdoor space, subject to local rules and any HOA requirements.
The tradeoff is that detached homes often come with a higher price tag, and you’re generally responsible for more maintenance.
Townhome
A townhome can provide a middle ground between a condo and a detached house.
Ownership structures vary, so it’s important to review the specific property. In many cases, townhomes offer more living space and may have multiple levels. They can also provide a greater sense of separation than a condo, although you’ll typically share one or more walls with neighboring homes.
Maintenance responsibilities also vary depending on the community and HOA. Some townhome communities maintain exterior elements, while others place more responsibility on the homeowner.
This is why I always recommend reviewing the HOA documents and understanding exactly what you’re responsible for before making an offer.
Condo
With a condo, you typically own the interior of your individual unit while sharing ownership interests in common areas through the homeowners association.
That can mean less exterior maintenance for the individual homeowner. Depending on the community, you may also have access to amenities such as a pool, gym, clubhouse, or shared outdoor spaces.
The tradeoffs can include less privacy, shared walls, HOA rules, and monthly HOA dues.
Condo ownership can be an excellent fit for buyers who value convenience and want fewer maintenance responsibilities—but it’s important to understand the HOA’s financial health, rules, insurance coverage, and monthly costs.
Cupertino Housing Trends: Location Can Change the Equation
When looking at Cupertino housing trends, buyers often discover that property type can significantly affect what is possible within their budget.
A buyer may not be able to purchase a detached home in their preferred neighborhood, but a condo or townhome could provide an opportunity to live in a location they value.
That could mean staying closer to work, reducing a commute, or accessing the lifestyle and amenities of a particular community.
The same is true throughout Santa Clara County.
For some buyers, more space is the priority. For others, location matters more. Some want a large yard. Others would happily trade yard work for a lock-and-leave lifestyle.
There isn’t one “best” property type. There is only the property that best fits your needs.
Bay Area Realtor Advice: Look at the Total Cost, Not Just the Price
A lower purchase price doesn’t automatically mean a lower monthly cost.
This is particularly important when comparing condos, townhomes, and single-family homes.
For example, a condo may have a lower purchase price but higher monthly HOA dues. A detached home may have no HOA but require more maintenance and repairs over time.
When comparing homes, I encourage buyers to look at the full financial picture:
- Purchase price
- Down payment
- Estimated mortgage payment
- Property taxes
- Homeowners insurance
- HOA dues
- Potential maintenance costs
- Special assessments or upcoming HOA expenses
A trusted lender can help you understand your estimated monthly payment, while I can help you evaluate how the property and its costs fit into your overall homeownership plan.
That’s the kind of practical, personalized Bay Area realtor advice I believe buyers need in today’s market.
The Right Home Is About Lifestyle and Long-Term Goals
Before choosing a property type, I like to understand how you actually live.
Do you work from home and need extra space? Do you travel frequently and prefer low maintenance? Are you planning to start a family? Do you want to be near restaurants, parks, or public transportation? How long do you expect to own the home?
Those answers can be just as important as your budget.
For example, a townhome may offer the additional space a growing household needs. A condo may be ideal for someone who wants homeownership without spending weekends maintaining a yard.
The “best” home isn’t always the largest home you can afford.
It’s the home that supports the life you want to live while making financial sense for your goals.
Bottom Line
If you feel priced out of buying a home in the South Bay, don’t assume your dream of homeownership is over.
A condo or townhome could provide another way into the market. With more options available in many areas, this may be a good time to expand your search and see what fits your budget and lifestyle.
Whether you’re exploring Santa Clara homes for sale, considering a condo in Sunnyvale, looking at townhomes in San Jose, or comparing options near Cupertino, I’d be happy to help you understand the local market.
Let’s look at the numbers, diagnose what matters most to you, and explore which type of home could be the right fit for both your lifestyle and your bottom line. Your first home doesn’t have to check every box—it just needs to open the right door to your next chapter.