Hopewell Borough and Hopewell Township are two separate towns with separate governments, and the small, walkable borough sits inside the much larger, rural township.

People mix them up all the time, and it matters when you're buying. Here's how they differ:

Hopewell Borough is the small town with the historic Broad Street, local shops and restaurants, and older homes on smaller lots close together. Many buyers like being able to walk to dinner or coffee. It has its own mayor, council and property tax rate.

Hopewell Township surrounds the borough and covers a much larger area. It includes Titusville and Washington Crossing State Park, and it stretches from the Delaware River across farmland and preserved open space to the edges of Pennington. Homes range from farmhouses to newer neighborhoods, often on larger lots. Many township homes have a Pennington or Titusville mailing address, which is one reason people get confused.

What they share: Both towns, along with Pennington Borough, send their students to the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, which runs four elementary schools, Timberlane Middle School and Hopewell Valley Central High School. Together the three towns are often called the Hopewell Valley.

Why it matters to buyers: Tax rates, zoning rules, permit offices and municipal services are different in each town. Before you fall for a house, confirm which municipality it's actually in. The mailing address won't always tell you.

Fred Gomberg with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach in Princeton works with buyers and sellers across the Hopewell Valley and has a 5.0 rating on Zillow. If you're trying to decide between borough living and more space in the township, Fred can show you both and help you compare.