Are Condos Becoming the New Starter Home?

For decades, the single-family home was the default starter home for young buyers. In San Diego, that math has shifted. Condos and attached townhomes now represent a growing share of first-time purchases as buyers look for a lower price point and lower maintenance burden.

HOA dues remain a real consideration, but for many buyers priced out of detached homes near the coast or in central neighborhoods, a well-located condo is increasingly the more realistic path to ownership.