Three cities, three condos, one price: What $975,000 buys in Milwaukee, Houston and Lancaster, Pennsylvania

To some, luxury means never mowing a lawn, dealing with weekly trash pickup, or shoveling snow. That’s much of what comes with condo ownership versus owning a single-family home.

According to Homes.com data, the median price of a condo nationally in June was $345,000. Median means that half of the condos sold went for above that price, and the other half went for below.

With the benefit of less maintenance, condos are often cheaper than detached single-family homes and attached townhouses.

Condo prices even declined 1.4% in June compared to a year ago, while prices for single-family detached housing inched up 1.1% to $400,000. According to Homes.com data, townhouses sold for a median price of $360,00.

For those with a slightly higher budget but looking for those low-maintenance amenities, here’s what $975,000 gets a buyer in three different cities. 

This 2020-built corner unit features minimalist modern design, with the open floor plan anchored by the kitchen.

The kitchen features slab front cabinetry from German brand Eggersmann, and Cosentino concrete-look countertops with a waterfall detail on the oversized island. The kitchen also includes Miele appliances and a wet bar.

Outside, the terrace extends the modern design with a television setup, fireplace and built-in Napoleon grill. The primary bedroom includes a dry bar, two walk-in closets, a double vanity, a freestanding bathtub and a separate shower.

The condo is in Houston’s Museum Park neighborhood, considered walkable to restaurants and parks, such as Hermann Park, which is less than half a mile from 5104 Caroline.

The park features the Houston Zoo, a Japanese garden and golf course. The neighborhood’s namesake comes from it being home to the city’s several museums, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, the Children’s Museum, the Holocaust Museum, the Health Museum, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

The Historic Third Ward neighborhood, where this waterfront unit is located, was nearly destroyed by a fire in 1892. It was then built as a warehouse district, and this building draws from the neighborhood’s history.

The unit features Russian timber 11-foot-high ceilings, solid maple floors, and an outdoor deck, plus southwest exposure. Each unit is built from concrete with thick walls to keep sound at bay.

Building amenities include two storage units, a clubhouse, a fitness center, and a heated outdoor pool. The building is located off the Milwaukee River and near the Lakeshore State Park.

The mixed-use building at 101 N Queen St. was formerly a vacant structure in the heart of Lancaster, Pennsylvania’s downtown. Its redevelopment finished in 2019 with 15 condos, plus retail and office space, such as an attached Starbucks, a medical spa, and Nepalese fusion restaurant.

The unit includes an outdoor terrace measuring 25 feet and 3 inches by 10 feet with a motorized louvred roof, plus floor-to-ceiling windows, a den and a laundry room. Both bedrooms have a walk-in closet and full en-suite bathroom. The condo has bamboo flooring, while bathrooms have heated tile floors.

It’s also located next to the Lancaster Public Library and the Ewell Plaza park. Amenities include a community room, electric vehicle charging, a private elevator, and a tax benefit through the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance.