Buying your first home in Southern New Jersey or the Philadelphia area can feel frustrating when the numbers don’t line up the way you expected. You may know you’re ready to buy, but finding a home that fits both your lifestyle and your budget can be the hardest part—especially in today’s market.
That’s where townhomes in South Jersey and the Philadelphia area come in.
Townhomes are becoming a larger part of the housing supply across Southern New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area, and that shift is creating new opportunities for first-time buyers. For many buyers, townhomes offer a more realistic path to homeownership without stretching finances too thin.
More Townhomes Are Available in Southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia Area
Builders are constructing more townhomes than they have in decades, including throughout South Jersey communities and the Philadelphia region. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), nearly 1 in 5 new single-family homes built today is a townhome, the highest share on record.
Just ten years ago, townhomes made up closer to 1 in 10 new construction homes. That increase means buyers searching for homes in Southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia area have far more options than in the past.
For first-time buyers trying to break into the South Jersey or Philadelphia housing market, townhomes can be one of the most practical ways to get started.
Townhomes in South Jersey and the Philadelphia Area Tend To Be More Affordable
While prices vary by location, Redfin data shows that townhomes are typically priced lower than detached single-family homes, including across Southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia area. In recent years, that price gap has grown as more townhomes have been built.
There are two main reasons townhomes can offer better value for buyers in South Jersey and the Philadelphia area.
Reason #1: Size
Townhomes are usually smaller by design, with most modern townhomes ranging from 1,300–1,500 square feet. That smaller footprint often means lower purchase prices and more manageable monthly payments—an important consideration for buyers navigating South Jersey property taxes and Philadelphia-area home prices.
Because they cost less to build, townhomes are often priced more affordably, making them an attractive option for first-time buyers. As Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at NewHomeSource, explains:
“With the high cost of housing across the country, townhomes have emerged as a vital, more accessible entry point into homeownership. They are often priced lower than detached houses, offering buyers—especially first-timers—the chance to build equity without breaking the bank.”
Reason #2: Builder Incentives in the South Jersey and Philadelphia Market
With more inventory available across Southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia area, many builders are motivated to sell homes that are already completed.
This can create opportunities for buyers, such as price flexibility, closing cost assistance, mortgage rate buydowns, or included upgrades. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):
“Home builders say they’re ready to attract more first-time home buyers. They’re responding to affordability pressures through lower-cost homes and builder incentives. About 40% of builders cut prices on newly built homes at the end of last year, and roughly two-thirds offered additional incentives.”
Bottom Line
If buying your first home in Southern New Jersey or the Philadelphia area feels just out of reach, the solution may not be waiting longer—it may be choosing a different type of home.
Townhomes throughout South Jersey and the Philadelphia area can offer a more attainable path to homeownership.
If you’d like to explore townhomes for sale in Southern New Jersey or the Philadelphia area, or want to talk through whether this option makes sense for you, let’s connect.