The advantages of owning a condo are virtually endless, and with the economy being so shaky in recent years, it makes sense that more people have been choosing to buy condos and townhouses rather than single-family homes (which can really seem like big, intimidating investments). Buying a condominium can be a great choice and a great investment, but there are a few things to keep in mind before buying a condo:
- First off, it’s important to realize that condos might look like apartments, but each unit is separately owned, similar to houses. Buying a condominium is more of a long-term living situation, so if you’re looking for something a bit more temporary, you might want to look into renting an apartment or house instead.
- Because condos are located in communities, sometimes with dozens of individual units, there are rules that everyone in the community has to follow. These are often similar to what you’d find in an apartment building complex: rules about pets, designated “quiet times,” and mandatory fees for general maintenance and landscaping are often included in condominium contracts. It’s important to find a community with rules that fit your personal lifestyle when you’re buying a condominium — and since there are so many complexes across the country today, it’s really not hard to find one that works for you.
- Last but not least, location is always key when it comes to buying a condominium. Most condominiums are located in urban areas where there are lots of activities within walking distance, but another common place to find a condo community is in an scenic area, like on a beach or lakefront. Keep in mind that the value of your condo definitely depends on the overall value of the region in which you’re living — like pretty much every other type of residential real estate property — but since you’ll likely to be living in your condo for a while, it’s often a good idea to buy a condo in an area that hasn’t been built up yet (but is expected to be developed in the coming years).
Although it might take a bit of research, buying a condo can really be a great investment — so don’t give up if you can’t find what you’re looking for right away!