Most condo owners fail to realize that the availability of green products to retrofit condos are available for most homeowners who want to do their small part in the greening of the many major cities we love to live in. From active tints that seemingly by magic, change shades depending on the suns brightness, like those amazing Ray-ban ambermatic sunglasses that turns amber as the sun is bright, lightening as it cools. Window tints are installed professionally with an exception for privacy screens that gives a pane of glass a smoked look giving you privacy if you wish to keep out those prying eyes. (more…)
You are now sure that a condo unit is what you want to buy. You just need to find a unit that will suit your budget and lifestyle.
You must already have an idea on what kind of condo unit you want.
Determine your budget and size for the condo? Do you want just a studio? 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom with a loft?
Keep that in mind when budgeting your monthly salary that there are additional expenses attached to condo living like association dues.
Choose a location that is accessible for you. It can be in the heart of the city and near commercial establishments. Also, check out the neighborhood. Do they have tight security?
What kind of neighbors will you be having? Do they allow pets?
Having all these in mind then, you can be sure that a Condo unit is the right home for you.
Whether as a vacation home, a rental property, or simply a real property holding you keep for investment purposes, a second home can offer you as many advantages as your primary residence.
For one, your second home can be your home away from home, where you can relax and enjoy your time with your family. Lakefront or beachfront condo units might be the best choice for you. After the hustle and bustle of your workweek you know that you have a place where you can get some much needed R & R.
What’s even more exciting than this is that a second home investment can be very financially rewarding. There is tax deductible interest, and the potential real estate appreciation. Also, if you choose to rent or lease out your property, the potential rental income can be very rewarding.
Buying a home is a major decision. What home to buy is a much bigger decision.
First time buyers often tend to look at condo units first, possibly because it is much cheaper than houses. Condo units are more affordable.
You do not need to bother maintenance on condos as there are association fees paid monthly.
Usually condos are located near commercial establishments.
Most condo units have amenities like swimming pools or tennis courts.
A condo is a good buy for busy people as they do not have bother about house maintenance.
Overall, you have to think carefully on what home you want to buy. Visualize yourself living in that place for a couple of years and choose a home that will suit your lifestyle and way of living.
It is important to be in harmony with your neighbors as they are the nearest people you can go to if there might be troubles. So, to keep that peace in your place, please take note of the following:
Throw all your garbage appropriately. That’s what garbage bins are for.
Minimize the noise especially when you are having a party. There are also other people in the building. Be considerate.
Take only your own mails. If they are not for you, please just leave them in the mail room.
Do not leave your children running down the hallway. It will annoy your neighbors.
Learn to understand that there are people living beside and under you. The sound of your heels on the flooring might bother them. Also, moving furniture’s or vacuuming the condo can be done during the day and not at dawn or at wee hours of the night.
1. Ponder on the thoughts when preparing to buy a condo. Is it the right move? Will it fit my budget? Will it fit my Lifestyle?
2. Check the advantages and disadvantages of an urban lifestyle. Check out various Condos and note their strengths and weaknesses and also take note of the price range.
3. Get prequalified for a mortgage.
4. Inspect the building complex of your desired condo location. See my article on how to inspect for a condo unit.
1. Design and Layout – check the design of the unit and the layout of the floor plan such as rooms, doors, windows. Is the unit in the direct path of the sun? If that’s the case you should consider that in summertime you may spend a bit more energy and money for airconditioning.
2. Noise – from both inside and outside sources visit the unit you want to buy at different times because there are times when it so peaceful but check it at weekends or during rush-hour period to see if the noise is bearable or not.
3. Privacy – We all want our privacy and we must find the perfect unit to help maintain our privacy, check the unit decks and patios to make sure your safe from prying eyes and such.
4. Security - Comes hand in hand with Privacy, Is there a security system in the building complex and in the unit, is it properly lit at night Is the unit or building secure and have ample security to deter criminals?
5. Amenities – Every building has ameneties that are widely available to residents, such as a pool, a hot tub and community room. And always check and ask the buliding management if there are fees for usage and maintennace of these said amenities.
6. Parking – Which is near an elevator, stairs, or close to your unit. And is properly lit.
6. Stackable Plastic Drawers – look for drawers that can be customized. If you would only have space for a couple of drawers per room or corner, you wouldn’t have to worry of where to place that huge chest of drawers. Plastic drawers are cheap and can be stacked according to the kind of space that can accommodate it.
7. Hooks – hooks are very helpful especially when placed in the strategic places of your house. Use hooks for your coats, hats, umbrellas and bags. You can also use hooks for your keys, mobile phone, and ID card.
8. Shoe organizer – shoe racks are bulky and won’t even hold all of your countless pairs, while cabinets don’t have proper ventilation and would be more useful holding other stuff. Opt for the hanging shoe organizer, one that can go over your door or wall.
9. TV Shelf – the television is an essential home appliance and even houses with the smallest spaces give room for one. use the opportunity to buy a shelved TV rack, one that can hold not only your TV but as well a books, DVDs, magazines and the like.
10. Bed frame with drawers – this works like that of under-the-bed storage and it won’t collect too much dust.
1. Wall shelves – great for maximizing vertical space. Use your wall space from the floor to the ceiling.
2. Door storage – there is a variety to choose from: whether shelves or racks, don’t hesitate to hook space savers at the back of your doors.
3. Trunks – Trunks are big and they’re spacious inside: perfect for storing linen or old books and toys. You don’t have to worry about the space it occupies for it can double as a coffee table or as a mini bench.
4. Ottomans – are very much like trunks, only the other way around. They’re initially made for seating or as foot rests but they do have space inside that can hold stuff as well.
5. Under-the-Bed storage – go for the clear plastic ones that are especially made to be put beneath the bed. Store bed sheets, seasonal clothing and apparel and even tools that you don’t use often.
Storage Space: a very precious and important thing to consider when it comes to condo living. Condo Living comes hand in hand with living “Light” so you may have to throw away unneccessary things to conserve space.
Noise: Noise Control, with lots of people cramped up in one building complex, The Building Complex has a set of rules to abide by. You may have to think twice before cranking up that radio and listen to your favorite tune.
Parking Space: For every Condo Unit purchase make sure that you have a parking space that is assigned to you, even better if you chose a parking space which near the elevator or door and or close to your unit.
Pets: Think twice, because some Condos don’t allow pets, much more the exotic ones. Ask the Building Management for pets which are allowed in the building complex.
