Here in Charlotte it's a legal term. We have townhouse-style properties that legally are condos.

Whether it is a condo or townhouse is stated in the docs. Style is irrelevant

In our market, it is based on the form of ownership. 

Condos can have more than one level here and you don't own the land. Townhouses can have 1 level or more. The main difference is in ownership, Condo Associations are much different than HOA's. Condo vs Fee Simple.

Townhouses here are buildings that share a common wall, but no units above or below them. 

Condos are much like what you would have for an apartment (except NY), but can be one, two or more floors. You only own what is inside your unit, inside the walls essentially. 

Both types, you usually pay for some type of exterior maintenance through HOA fees.

Michael Thacker - Louisville Realtor

Condominium is the form of ownership in our area.

Condos and townhomes are more of a function of design/style 

While condos are typically one story, there are examples of multi-story units in my market area.  

Townhomes can have one or multiple story and typically have a garage in our market.  

I think it depends on how they are set up in the legal docs.  I've seen stand a duplex called a condo and a multifamily called a townhouse.  Maybe state laws?

It is a form of ownership and can be one level or more and detached or attached. in pa.

Here in Florida, the difference between a condo and townhouse legally is the way the association was incorporated.  

I live in a single family home, but it is legally a condo as our association was incorporated under condo documents.

They are legal descriptions.  A condo can be a townhome style condo meaning it is two stories.  Homeowners own the air space in a condo and in a townhome they own the land under the structure.

I'd say 50% of agents in my area don't know the difference and that is why they list a townhome style condo as a townhome.

A condo in Ontario is legally defined by provincial law.  There are many types of condos available and is a substantial portion of our building stock.  Condo and townhouse are not mutually exclusive.

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Call 631-805-4400 (c) Here they are based on they type of ownership.

Here a condominium defines the type of ownership with a style being a townhouse, 2 or 3 stories built with units in a row, garden style all on 1 level, usually 3 floors of 1 level homes or detached, free standing not attached to another building and we have duplex which is usually a duplex turned into condos and most often only 2 units. each sold separate. 

That is a problem.

The PUBLIC has a faulty interpretation of the meaning of both.

The real estate agent risks being seen less than capable should they use the word CONDO to describe a dwelling that looks more like a single family home.

The reality is "CONDO' defines an instrument of ownership that can include any architectural style. 

Town house style properties here can be separated where the upstairs comprise one CONDO and downstairs a separate CONDO.

Townhomes here are buildings that share a common wall, but no units above or below them and have HOA dues that can include exterior maintenance or not. Some builders are building condo regimes..separate single family resides and are fee simple (only way they could get permits to build). It does get confusing! Greg Cremia is right..the docs are the key that tells you what they are.

Few opportunities for either of these here.

I have to do this face to face. The public just doesn't understand and gets easily confused.

The legal description of the home determines what it is.  Lot & Block would be a townhome, and if Condo is in the description - it is a condo. 

Larry and Sheila - Interesting how the definition of a Condo and Townhouse are different based on where you live. I wouldn't have thought that would have made any difference.

Good morning Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Call 631-805-4400 (c). I would say it this way, all townhouses are condos, but not all condos are townhouses.

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Call 631-805-4400 (c) we have the same definition here in MA....

It's the same here.  condos are 1 level and townhouses have 2 levels.

There are two meanings to condo.  One is a unit that is attached with someone above or below your unit.  The second is a project built on lot with an average size of less than 4,000 square feet in which everyone in the community shares ownership of a common area and may have community amenities.

A Town Home could be one or two stories as long as there is no one above or below your unit.

WE are townhomes one level and condo's multi level

The root question is whether you are buying dirt and improvements (called a townhouse, patio home, zero lot line, etc.) or just air space (condo).

Most cases is one level condo if someone is below or above you.

MLS-wise agents tend to do what you mention, base it on architectural style. Although I'll only call a Townhouse such, if you own the land underneath it, as that is one of the true differences between a townhome and a multi-level condo. I live in a Townhome, I own my garage and my lot/yard space and I'm more responsible for interior matters; except caused by "HOA" roof issues.

Ken Jones has this one covered.

If it has steps inside the unit it is a townhouse;)

that's the same in Massachusetts....

Yes, that's exactly how I think about it here in Westchester, too.

Yecnically it depends on how the land is handled. a Town Home has a separate lot and block under it even though the covenants and restrictions along with the HOA is condo oriented. Condos have common land ownership and that depends on the size of the unit. This is how we define it in OKC.

Own the land or not.

Private entry or not.

We have 2-story condos where you don't own the land so it's pretty confusing to buyers that's for sure. 

OK, in my area let's make it more confusing - throw in coach homes/manor homes which are condos essentially. 4 to a building, 2 upper & 2 lower with a 1 car garage. 

In Texas if you own a condo you don't own the land.  If  you own a townhouse you do own the land.

In Florida, it depends how the developer set it up.  You own more of a town home than a condo.  Hoa fees are less for a town home and don't included insurance.  

At the beach (OC, NJ ) we have condos at various levels - lower and upper units .