So, you’ve accumulated enough money, and you feel that time is ripe for you to own a home. Congratulations! The joy of owning a home is unparalleled, especially when you’ve been living in rented apartments. If you choose to invest in a condo home, it’s just like you’re buying a part of a whole. What does this mean? Well, condo homes are shared property that you co-own with your neighbors. Anything outside your condo home belongs to you and your neighbors. There is nothing like my parking space or my hallway in a condo home—everything outside the home is for collective use.
Now that you understand what a condo home means, how can you choose one that is right for you? With the many options available, it is pretty easy for one to get confused. Imagine having waited many years to buy your first home, only to settle for something that does not please you. It hurts! Before you buy a condo home, get to know all the things that you need in a condo. This way, you’ll make informed decisions. If you already have a picture in your mind and some things you fancy in a condo home, you’re close to knowing what condo best suits you.
In most instances, when purchasing a condo home, you’ll need to make a choice to go for new or old condos, apartments or lofts, and townhouses or detached houses. But, what’s the big deal? Well, if you’re not keen on what you’re buying, you may end up regretting. God forbid! Now, let’s delve deep. Here’s how to choose a condo:
New vs. old condos
Undecided whether to go for a new or an old condo? It’s common. New condos tend to come equipped with amenities such as gyms, pools and private parking, something that’s rare with old condos. While one could easily go for new condos because of these amenities, the problem comes when such a person loves unique characteristics such as hardwood floors common in condo homes. It’s not just that simple. However, there are other features such as types of ceilings, closets, walls, and layouts that you can use to make a decision. Old condos have high ceilings, small closets, thicker walls, and weird layouts. New condos, on the other hand, have lower ceilings, big closets, thinner walls, and space-efficient layouts.
Apartments vs. lofts
Apartments are usually meant for residential purposes, can be new or old, have partitions and standard windows, and have all pipes confined. Lofts, on the other hand, are mostly used as office spaces and have few partitions. They are mostly found in historic buildings, may have exposed pipes, and often come with large, single-paned windows.
Townhouses vs. detached houses
Townhouses usually come in large sizes with a small yard area. These houses can be found in both urban and suburban areas, share at least a wall with a neighbor, and may come with community amenities such as a gym or pool. Detached houses, on the other hand, are a complete opposite of townhouses. They come in many sizes and styles, are found in suburban areas, are totally detached from neighboring homes, and do not come with extra amenities in most instances.