Living in Nashville is fun. If you want to enjoy the REAL Music City lifestyle, you don't want to be all the way out in a single-family home in the suburbs of Nashville. That's why condos are amazing for anyone who wants to own real estate in the heart of it all. Nashville condos cost less than houses, need less work, and often sit in the best locations around town. Let's break down why a Nashville condo why you should buy a condo.

Buying a Condo in Nashville? 6 Quick Tips

• What Is a Condo? A condo is a property you completely own (unlike an apartment) that shares walls, amenities, and common areas with other units in the same building. You own your unit while sharing ownership of common spaces with other residents through an association.
• Condo Price Advantage: Nashville condos ($341,520 median) cost about $158,000 less than single-family homes ($500,000 median), making homeownership possible in neighborhoods where houses are out of reach for most buyers.
• Maintenance Split: You only handle repairs inside your unit while the condo association takes care of all exterior maintenance, common areas, and major building systems—saving you time and spreading the cost of expensive repairs among all owners.
• A Head's Up on Condo Fees: Nashville condo fees typically run $150-$500 monthly and cover maintenance, amenities, and sometimes utilities. Always check what's included and review the association's financial health before buying.
• Investment Potential: Nashville condos have appreciated 39.4% over four years, and downtown units can generate up to $70,000 yearly as short-term rentals—though you must verify your building allows this before purchasing.
• Some Possible Downsides: thin walls, strict rules, loan hurdles, limited space, HOA politics, and parking hassles.

How Much Do Condos Cost? Nashville Condos vs. Houses

The numbers don't lie. Condos are almost always more affordable than single-family houses.

Nationally, condos sell for about 10% less than single-family homes, with a median price of $356,000 compared to $391,800 for houses

The median price for a Nashville condo in 2024 was $341,520. Compare that to single-family homes at $500,000! That's a difference of over $158,000.

And that's looking at Nashville as a whole. The cost difference between condos and houses is even more pronounced when you look at more expensive neighborhoods.

Let's also talk about the price of living in Downtown Nashville. The CHEAPEST detached homes are still more than $1 million. Compare that to Downtown condos, where you'll find tons of listings in the $300s and $400s.

This huge price gap means you can own a home in Nashville without breaking the bank. For first-time buyers especially, condos open doors to homeownership that might otherwise stay closed.

Your budget goes further with a condo, too. Property taxes on condos typically run lower than on single-family houses of similar value because you own less land.

Nashville Condo Prices Through the Years

Nashville condos have grown in value steadily, making them smart investments:

• September 2020: $245,000
• June 2021: $292,735
• June 2022: $348,150
• December 2024: $341,520

While there was a tiny dip in 2023, prices bounced back in 2024. Over four years, Nashville condos appreciated 39.4% compared to single-family homes at 43.7%. Not a huge difference when you consider the much lower starting price!

Many buyers who thought they could only rent are now building equity through condo ownership. The purchase of a condo can be your first step toward building real estate wealth in Nashville's growing market.

No More Weekend Chores: The Easy Nashville Lifestyle

Hate mowing lawns in the Tennessee summer heat? Condo life handles that for you.

Your condo association takes care of:

• Lawn care and landscaping
• Snow removal (for those rare Nashville snow days)
• Building repairs and maintenance
• Roofing issues
• Exterior maintenance and painting

This means more time enjoying Nashville's music scene, restaurants, and parks instead of fixing stuff around the house. Nashville's hot summers and storm seasons can be tough on homes, but in a condo, that's not your problem anymore.

It does raise the question, though: who fixes what in a condo? The lines are pretty clear. You handle everything inside your unit—like your kitchen sink, toilet, or that pesky light switch. The condo association takes care of all common areas and the building exterior. 

Your HOA fees pay for fixing the roof, hallways, elevators, pool, and landscaping. This split means you still have control over your personal space but don't have to worry about the big, expensive stuff like foundation issues or replacing the building's HVAC system.

Regular maintenance costs for a single-family house in Nashville can easily run thousands each year. In a condo, those maintenance costs are shared among all owners, making them much more manageable for your budget.

Nashville HOA Fees: What to Expect

Nashville homeowner association fees (which includes condo fees) typically run $150 to $500 monthly, depending on:

• Location (downtown units usually cost more)
• Building age
• Amenities offered
• Number of units sharing costs
• Square footage of your unit

These fees cover maintenance and often utilities like water or trash. Some luxury downtown Nashville condos include concierge services, security, and amazing rooftop views of the city.

The condo board, elected by owners, manages how these fees are spent. They also oversee reserve funds for future major repairs, so you're not surprised by huge bills later.

Before buying, ask what exactly the fees pay for and how often they've gone up in the past. Smart condo shoppers do this homework first!

Special Assessments: What Nashville Buyers Need to Know

Sometimes condos need big repairs that regular fees don't cover. When this happens, the condo association might charge a special assessment.

For example, if your Nashville high-rise building needs a new elevator system costing $200,000, and there are 50 units, each owner might pay a $4,000 special assessment.

Before you buy a condo, ask:

• Has the building had special assessments before?
• Are any planned in the near future?
• How healthy are the reserve funds?

A well-managed building with good reserve funds rarely needs special assessments. That's why the condo board's financial management matters so much to your wallet.

Community Living: Nashville Style

Nashville's best condo communities often reflect the city's friendly, creative vibe.

Many Nashville condo buildings host:

• Rooftop gatherings with skyline views
• Holiday parties
• Pool openings in summer
• Live music events (it is Music City after all!)

These events help you meet neighbors and build connections in your building. For newcomers to Nashville, this can be a big help in feeling at home faster.

Condos typically offer more social opportunities than single-family houses where you might barely see your neighbors. In a Nashville condo building, you'll bump into neighbors in the elevator, at the gym, or by the pool.

Prime Nashville Locations You Couldn't Otherwise Afford

Let's be real—buying a house in Nashville's best neighborhoods can be expensive. Condos change that math.

Popular Nashville condo development areas include:

• The Gulch—walk to trendy restaurants and shops
• Downtown—steps from Broadway's famous honky-tonks
• East Nashville—close to the city's coolest food scene
• Music Row—near the heart of the music industry
• Germantown—historic charm with modern convenience

Many Nashville condos sit near public transportation routes and the city's growing network of greenways and bike paths. Some downtown condo owners even walk to work!

Access to these prime locations is a huge perk of condo living. An existing single family home in these same areas would cost hundreds of thousands more.

Awesome Amenities Without the Upkeep

Nashville condo buildings offer shared amenities you'd pay extra for elsewhere:

• Rooftop lounges with Nashville skyline views
• Fitness centers (saving $50+ monthly on gym memberships)
• Swimming pools (perfect for hot Tennessee summers)
• Tennis courts at some larger developments
• Secure parking (say goodbye to looking for downtown parking)
• Package receiving (no more stolen deliveries)
• Community spaces for gatherings

The best part? No maintenance headaches. When the pool needs cleaning or the elevator breaks, it's not coming out of your pocket directly or taking up your weekend.

Having these amenities right where you live makes daily life more convenient. If you travel frequently for work, you don't need to worry about your property while you're gone.

Investment Potential in Music City

Nashville's growth has made condos smart investments. While they appreciate slightly slower than houses (39.4% vs. 43.7% over four years), the lower entry price often means better overall returns. Perfect for your first rental property purchase.

Nashville condo insurance runs about $500 yearly or $40 monthly—much less than for a single-family house in the same neighborhoods.

For investors, Nashville condos offer solid opportunities:

• Lower buy-in costs
• Steady appreciation
• Strong rental demand
• Less maintenance hassle

Your mortgage payments might be similar to what you'd pay in rent, but you'll be building equity with each payment instead of just enriching a landlord.

Short-Term Rental Goldmine

Nashville's tourism boom means big potential for condo owners. A downtown Nashville Airbnb or short-term rental can bring in $80-$100 nightly. That could mean up to $70,000 yearly income if you manage it right and keep occupancy high.

Many condos in Nashville work well as vacation homes. You can use the property when you want and rent it out when you don't.

Just check your HOA rules first! Some Nashville condo buildings have strict rules about renting and have cracked down on short-term rentals after neighbor complaints.

Safety and Security in the City

Many Nashville condo buildings offer security features that single-family houses don't:

• Secured entrances with key fobs
• Front desk staff in luxury buildings
• Security cameras in common areas
• Well-lit parking areas
• Neighbors nearby (no isolated properties)

For people living alone, frequent travelers, or anyone concerned about security, these features bring real peace of mind.

The general idea of safety in numbers applies to condo living. With so many owners in one building, there's almost always someone around.

Perfect for First-Time Nashville Buyers

If you're new to Nashville or buying your first home, condos make the process simpler:

• Lower down payments (thanks to lower purchase prices)
• Less maintenance stress
• Built-in community
• Often walkable locations

Many first-time Nashville buyers use condos as stepping stones—building equity while living centrally before moving to a larger place later.

Condominiums offer a great entry point to homeownership. The purchase of a condo often requires less cash upfront than a house, making the dream of owning property accessible to more people.

Condos vs. Apartments: What's the Difference?

Many people don’t know the differences between condos and apartments. Here's the simple breakdown:

When you buy a condo, you own your unit completely. With an apartment, you're just renting—paying a landlord who owns the property.

Condo owners build equity over time. Renters don't.

Condo owners can customize their unit (within reason and association rules). Apartment renters typically can't make major changes.

While both housing types share walls and amenities, only condo ownership gives you a real estate asset that can grow in value over time.

Cons of Buying a Condo

• Monthly HOA Fees:

You'll pay $150-$500 monthly in Nashville for fees that never go away and can increase over time, sometimes with little notice.

• Special Assessments:

If the building needs major repairs and reserve funds are low, you could get hit with a surprise bill for thousands of dollars that you have no choice but to pay.

• Less Privacy:

Sharing walls means you'll hear neighbors and they'll hear you—from music and conversations to footsteps overhead in many buildings.

• Limited Control:

The condo board and association rules control what you can do with your property—from whether you can rent it out to what color you can paint your front door.

• Harder to Sell:

Condos typically take longer to sell than single-family homes and may appreciate more slowly in Nashville (39.4% vs. 43.7% over four years).

• Financing Challenges:

Mortgage lenders often charge higher interest rates for condos, and some buildings may not qualify for certain loan types if they don't meet specific requirements.

• Space Limitations:

Most Nashville condos offer less square footage than single-family homes, with limited storage space and no private yard.

• HOA Politics:

Building decisions get made by the condo board, which means you might end up funding amenities you don't use or dealing with rules you don't like.

• Neighbor Dependency:

Your investment is affected by how well your neighbors maintain their units and whether they pay their HOA fees on time.

• Parking Hassles:

Many Nashville buildings, especially downtown, have limited parking spaces or charge extra for them—a consideration in a city where most people need cars.

Is a Nashville Condo Right for You?

Nashville condos shine if you want:

• Affordability (that $158,000 price difference matters!)
• Less maintenance headaches
• Great locations
• Built-in amenities
• Investment potential
• Community connections

They might not work if you need lots of space, hate sharing walls, or can't stand HOA rules.

The condo advantage comes down to lifestyle and budget. In Nashville's hot housing market, condos offer a path to homeownership that many thought impossible—right in the heart of Music City.

Ready to explore Nashville condo options? Start by figuring out which neighborhoods match your lifestyle, then check out what's available in your price range. Your perfect Nashville home might be waiting in a condo building you haven't considered yet!

If the opportunities of Nashville excite you, contact The Ashton Real Estate Group of RE/MAX Advantage with Nashville's MLS at (615) 603-3602 to get in touch with local real estate agents who can help find the perfect Nashville home for you today.