About
Condos/Townhouses in the Ithaca Area...
There
are a variety of
condos/townhouses in the Ithaca area - this website
will help you understand more about your condo options and recent
pricing.
- Be financially prepared
(if you need a mortgage, go to the bank
to get pre-qualified)
- Drive around each of the
areas to see the different settings and
styles available from the outside. You may decide one fits your needs
best from the grounds and overall location.
- Learn about the different ownership types including Planned
Unit Development (i.e. Commonland) vs condos vs townhouses - learn
more: helpful
link on HUD
- Review the information
detailed here on recent sales to help you get familiar with the range
of pricing and square footage for each area.
Option
#1: Welcome
to Commonland Community
Close to Cornell
University and
on the TCAT busline on the East
side of town, these units have 1-2-3 bedroom units with a 
variety of floor plans
including a
split-level design and a townhouse
design. It is situated close to Six
Mile Creek Preserve and was
originally started in the 1980's as a green building design. There is
a Community building,
ballfields, a pond and common laundry areas.
Many
owners have added their own on-site laundry in their units over
time.
There is a
community garden for use by residents.
There is an email
listserv for
Commonland and there is an Association to manage the financial and
social decisions of the community. Many people who come to
Cornell or
Ithaca College have
lived here and enjoyed a more home-like
atmosphere than renting.
There are deed restrictions which prohibit
long-term renting of the units so these are mainly owner-occupied. Some
of the end units and lower units enjoy close proximity to the nature
preserve and all that it brings - deer, birds, and more!
Association
dues are $220 per month. Not every unit has a carport, but if
one does, the annual fee is $35. The dues include water and
sewer bills and garbage service, exterior maintenance, plowing and
mowing. Heat/electricity and taxes are
the owner's responsibility.
(Note - technically these are not 'condos' but actually a Planned Unit
Development.
I know Commonland!
Here are properties I have sold:
62
Lois
Lane - sold in 2006 (buyer's agent)
43 Lois Lane
- sold in 2006
13
Penny
Lane sold
in 2010
39
Penny
Lane sold
in 2010
78 Lois Lane - sold in 2011 (buyer's agent)
21 Penny Lane - sold in
2011
43 Penny Lane - sold in
2011 (buyer's agent)
41 Penny Lane - sold in
2013 (buyer's agent)
Option
#2: Welcome
to Sevanna Park
Also
close to Cornell University and
on the TCAT busline, Sevanna Park condos are on the Northeast
side of
campus closer to Pyramid Mall and other shopping. These units have
1-2-3 bedroom units with a standard design and a few units with a
2-story townhouse
design. Originally developed in the 1970's, these brick buildings are
tucked back off North Triphammer Road and offer a convenient location
for residents young and old.
There
are
usually laundry facilities in each building in the basement, and there
may also be storage lockers/areas for bikes and/or other personal
items.
There is an association fee, which
depends on each
unit so
you have to inquire individually. This fee include water and
sewer
costs, exterior maintenance, garbage removal and sometimes even heat.
Taxes would be an additional cost to the owner.
I
know Sevanna Park! Here are some properties I have sold:
E5
Sevanna Park - sold in 2009
E6 Sevanna Park - sold in 2009 (buyer's agent)
T2A Sevanna Park - sold in 2009 (buyer's agent)
D5 Sevanna Park -sold in 2004
E5 Sevanna Park - sold in 2004
E6 Sevanna Park - sold in 2011
T2C
Sevanna Park - sold in 2011
Option
#3: Welcome to Vista Lane
These
condo/townhouse units are located just past the entrance to
Ithaca College on South Hill,
built in the 1980's with cathedral ceilings, south and
southwest exposure and with a split level design. All units have a
1-car garage and deck and patio areas.
Only a few of these become available for sale. Location is convenient
to Route 95B, South Hill, Ithaca College, Candor and
Binghamton corridor.
The
association fee monthly is
$180
7B
Vista Lane - sold in 2007
Option
#4: Welcome to Eastwood Commons & Sunnyview
Located
on a walking trail just south and east
of Cornell
and Belle Sherman is
Eastwood Commons. These are townhouse style units that are often hard
to come by as sales are not as prevalent here. Which indicates that the
owners are long-time residents and that properties that do come on the
open market are bought up quickly. These units usually have a garage
underneath although there are some main level living units that have a
garage attached on the same level. There are two different homeowner's
associations - Eastwood Commons and Sunnyhill. The ones in the 500
block of Strawberry Hill Circle are in Sunnyhill.
There is
a Resident's Association here too, and there are committees like the
Grounds Committee that do a fantastic job of keeping the areas
beautiful year round. Association fees are based on square
footage. It is close to the bus stop and the East Ithaca
Recreation Way which takes you to Cornell through Belle Sherman.
In the past few years,
these units have listed and sold quickly with brisk competition.
If you want to get into this community, you will need to call me so I
can let you know when something becomes available for purchase,
otherwise it may sell before you see it advertised for sale!
I
know Eastwood Commons! Here are some properties recently sold:
511 Strawberry Hill Circle
#3 - sold in 2009
111 Strawberry Hill Circle #3 - sold in 2010
521
Strawberry
Hill Circle #2 - Sold in 2012
Option
#5: Welcome
to Deer Run
South
Hill
offers a 1980's version of what I call the Philadelphia
condo/townhouse...this is the style that most out-of-town buyers think
about when they ask about whether there are any condos in Ithaca. These
are newer in both style and amenities, with a couple of floor plans
available including a sunken living room style which is quite
appealing, or the soaring cathedral ceiling style, also popular.
Deer
Run is aptly named - there are deer here! The landscaping
is minimal, due to the deer that will visit your plants and
consider them free food. Many owners here have
found ways to garden with deer-resistant plantings. Whether you're a
fan of the local deer population, it is an interesting
sight to see - natural deer moving around at dawn or
dusk throughout the area.
There
is an association fee which covers the exterior grounds, garbage
service, water and sewer and street lights. Several of the townhouses
are getting new roofs this year, work is ongoing on a rotational basis.
Also
in this area are single family homes, most of which were built in
the late 1980's but mostly in the 1990's even into 2005. This location
works great for those working at Ithaca College, as it is a short drive
from the IC campus. There are also great views from many of the units
here and there is a neighborhood park.
Other
options exist in smaller numbers in and around the Ithaca area:
OPTION
#6:
Stone Creek condos in the Village
of Lansing
OPTION
#7: Nor Way
townhouses in the Village of
Lansing
OPTION
#8: Black Oak Road off Mitchell Street in East Ithaca
OPTION
#8: Holly Creek Townhouses, only for 1st Time Buyers
in South Hill
OPTION
#8: Greek
Peak condos in Virgil
Got Questions? Contact CJ
DelVecchio
-
your Ithaca condo specialist!
