Purchasing a Condo vs SFH, townhome/rowhome, etc

[David White]

When does it make sense to purchase a condo over a SFH, rowhome/townhome, etc.? I would assume with a monthly variable condo fee that it would never make sense to make the purchase. In the past a realtor tried making a pitch to me that its in my best interest to purchase a condo due to me previously living in an apartment. His reasoning was due to the amount I was paying in rent.

[Matt Schelberg]

Short answer:  Price is the key factor.  

I think that realtor's reasoning is poor.  In my opinion condo status reduces value by X dollars.  Determine what X is in your market and then evaluate.  For the right price I would definitely consider a condo if the association was well managed and had reasonable rules.