Recently, looking at the market, many of the new development projects coming up in Torrance are taking the form of townhomes rather than single-family homes. Among the cases I reviewed, there has been a noticeable increase in redevelopment methods where an existing single-family home is demolished to build three or four townhomes.

According to Redfin, the median sale price for the three-month average is around $1.2 million until May 2026, and during the same period, there were an average of three offers, leading to contracts being made in just 26 days, indicating a highly competitive market. By type, the median price for single-family homes is $1.36 million, while condos are at $587,000, showing a gap that exceeds double between the two types.

From the perspective that this point is advantageous but that point can be a burden, single-family homes offer the benefit of having a yard and independence but come with a significant budget burden, while condos have a lower entry barrier but entail considerable monthly HOA fees. The increasing number of new townhomes provides a bit of yard space while offering a larger area than condos, leading families to turn to Torrance, which has a more flexible budget compared to neighboring beach cities like Hermosa Beach or Manhattan Beach.

Among the cases I reviewed, there were several families who, while looking for single-family homes in nearby beach cities, changed direction to new townhomes in Torrance due to budget constraints. The ability to lower the purchase price while maintaining the same school district was the main reason for this choice.

Single-family homes are fully owned by the owner, who is entirely responsible for maintenance, and typically have low or no HOA fees, while condos have the highest management fees as the management team takes care of the building structure and appearance. Townhomes share walls but have their own land, with exterior maintenance handled by the HOA and interior maintenance by the owner, making this hybrid structure particularly prevalent in the recent new supply in Torrance.

For investors looking at rental income, this point can be advantageous but that point can be a burden. Condos have a lower purchase price, which is favorable for calculating returns, but HOA fees eat into net income, while new townhomes have less inventory leading to competitive buying but relatively lower management costs. Since it cannot be assumed that prices will continue to rise, it is wise to also consider vacancy risks.

Another case I reviewed involved a family that had just immigrated from Korea and spent a few years renting in Torrance before deciding to purchase a new townhome instead of a condo, believing the school district and commuting conditions were suitable. It seems that taking the time to experience the area before making a decision can reduce regrets.

Nationally, the proportion of townhomes in new housing supply is increasing, primarily because they can be supplied at lower prices than single-family homes while using land efficiently. This trend is more pronounced in areas like Torrance, which are adjacent to beaches and have limited developable land.

For families moving from other states, it can be easy to overlook that California property taxes are assessed based on the purchase price, especially if judged by the standards of their previous residence. School district boundaries also change frequently, so it is safer to directly verify the assigned school for the address before purchasing.

The level of mortgage interest rates can also be compared based on the perspective that this point can be advantageous but that point can be a burden. Condos have smaller loan principal amounts, reducing the burden of interest rate fluctuations, while single-family homes have larger loan principal amounts, making even slight changes in interest rates feel significant in monthly payments.

Considering that this point can be advantageous but that point can be a burden, it appears that Torrance is quickly establishing itself as a market for new townhomes as a compromise between single-family homes and condos. Since market prices and inventory compositions vary by neighborhood, I recommend carefully checking the conditions for each complex. This article is not investment or legal advice, and it is advisable to consult with a professional before making any actual contracts.