If you've decided it's time to stop renting and start looking
into buying a home, you've probably wondered whether a condominium or
single-family house is the best fit for you. While both options come
with their distinct advantages, many homeowners find that owning a condo
is preferable when considering factors like convenience, price and
safety.
Increased convenience and security
Most
condominiums are located near urban centers that have a wide range of
restaurants, theaters, events and countless other entertainment options -
all within a 20-minute commute. Say goodbye to rush-hour traffic and
the never-ending cycle of car commuting that often comes with owning a
single-family home. Owning a condo, you'll be able to walk, bike and
take public transportation wherever you need to go.
Living in a
condominium is also a great way to find an immediate sense of community
with many different neighbors in the same building. You'll find that by
taking advantage of some of the shared common spaces, like the pool,
fitness center or rec room, you will increase your chances of meeting
your neighbors and forming new friendships.
Living in a condo,
you'll never have to worry about installing your own security system as
you would in a single-family house. Instead, you'll benefit from your
condo's professional security protocol, which can involve the use of
keyed entrances, security systems, security cameras and around-the-clock
guard staffing. You'll never have to worry when you leave your condo
for weeks or months at a time, as access is often tightly controlled.
Even without these features, living in close proximity to all of your
neighbors is inherently more secure than living in a typical
single-family home.
More affordable with less stress
The
cost of buying a condo is often much cheaper than the cost of buying a
single-family home. Not only that, but the bill-paying process is much
easier. Instead of remembering to pay several individual bills each
month, condominium owners
simply pay one monthly maintenance fee that covers utilities like
water, sewer, trash and heating/air conditioning. Many maintenance fees
also include property insurance coverage, so owners only need to insure
their personal possessions.
Owning a condo also eliminates the
need to worry about some types of property maintenance, such as roofing,
air conditioning or any other shared property or utilities. This
alleviates much of the stress that can come with owning a single-family
house, while also saving even more money on repair bills.
If you're looking into finding a new place to call home, take some time to consider the benefits offered by condo living.
