When you are looking for a new home people typically look to purchase one of a couple options. The first is a single-family home. This is where the owner is responsible for the house, yard, and all maintenance on the home and land. In the second case, a condo, the situation is a little different. The condo owner is responsible for the interior maintenance on the condo, but the association is responsible for all the maintenance on the exterior and any yard or land that is associated with the condo community. When choosing between these two options here are a few things you should consider:
- Do you plan on traveling or being away from home for extended periods of time?
If you answer yes, whether it’s for work or for pleasure, then a condo might be the better choice for you. In a condo you don’t have any maintenance to do on the exterior of the home. Let’s say you are gone for 3 weeks during the summer, you don’t need to worry about the yard being mowed. The same goes for the winter. Most condo complexes have a service that will take care of snow removal on the road, driveways, and in some cases the sidewalks. - Do you enjoy spending time outside working on your yard?
Some people like to work in the yard and even enjoy planting, watering, and mowing. I have to say I am not that person! If you are, then a single-family home may be a better fit for you. At your own home you oversee what you do with landscaping. You decide how often you mow, what you want to plant, in addition to where and how much you want to plant. In a condo you will have some choices, but planting will typically be restricted to the mulch beds around the condo, and even than you should ask permission before planning. - Are you a quiet person?
These are two very important questions if you are planning on living in a condo. Most condos have sound walls between the units to help with the reduction of noise. This does not, however, mean that you will want to have your rock band practice in your living room. If you are planning on having a music studio in your home a single-family home is a much better choice. - Do you like community living and associating with your neighbors?
Condos are wonderful places to meet people, make new friends, and share common experiences. Some condos will have a club house, pool, or BBQ area where residents get together for various community activities. In a way this can be a little more like an apartment in that you have the chance to bump into your neighbors a little more frequently, share a pool, and sometimes just have the chance to hang out. Single-family homes can be a little different. Some will have community parties or block parties, while some communities will not.
I hope this gives you a few things to consider when you are looking for that new home or condo. The most important thing to remember is to give me, Jason Wright, a call. Let me help you decide which option will work the best for you, while having fun looking at all the options! I hope to hear from you soon.
Call Jason Wright of The Ford Group, HER Realtors at (614) 975-2529 to help with your real estate needs today.
