With the weather we’ve been having. Early snow breaking tree limbs. Excessive rainfall causing drainage and runoff problems or worse. Too big a house to care for. These may all be reasons for thinking about checking out a condo for 2012. This month in my e-newsletter there’s an article titled. “Choosing a Condo” written by Carla Hill. I’m going to paste in the text of the article and then follow it with some condo listings for you from around Orange County.
Not all home buyers have dreams of spacious lawns, rambling rooms, and secluded properties. Many buyers, rather, are on the search for a home that will be easy to care for and will give them plenty of chances to be active and social.
From first-time buyers to down-sizing retirees, condos offer a wealth of
opportunity. Many come equipped with clubhouses, gamerooms, gyms, and common
outdoor meeting areas. Others go above and beyond with organized mixers, dances,
movie nights, and more!
Condos can be a great choice for single homeowners looking to socialize. They
can be a wonderful choice for older adults who are fully capable of caring for
themselves, but wish to cut back on home maintenance.
Typically, owning a condo means you no longer have to worry about mowing your
yard, maintaining landscaping, cleaning or scooping sidewalks, or making
large-scale repairs. You pay a small fee each month that pays for your portion
of this upkeep. Your condo association should also have a reserve fund that is
held for large repairs, such as roof replacement, when the time comes.
The operative word is “should.” Not all condo associations are the same.
Before you buy, be sure to check into how diligent the association is. Are they
up-to-date on reserve studies? How often in the last 10 years have they raised
fees? Do they have an lawsuits pending?
Additionally, not all condo communities are equal when it comes to amenities.
When you set up a showing, be sure to visit all that will be available.
This next upside has a catch. Condos generally come with an extensive set of
rules. This means the condo government says what you can do to your home and
what you can’t. They can prohibit improvements, pets, home-based businesses, and
subletting. The positive side of these rules is that your condo community should
stay uniform, updated, and in good order. If you have an issue with a neighbor,
you can easily lodge a complaint, for they are liable to the condo rules.
As every up has it down, there are some drawbacks to owning a condo. One
primary negative is the overall lack of storage. Generally, you have no garage,
attic, basement, or backyard storage shed to house those Christmas decorations
and other treasures.
Another hefty downside is the monthly HOA fees. For the entire time you own
the condo, you will be expected to pay fees. While these go towards upkeep and
amenities, it is an added financial burden that one must consider on top of
purchase prices. Additionally, you are still responsible to pay your monthly
fees even if your condo is entirely paid off.
Finally, while owning a condo means you have many comparable homes on hand
for pricing comparison, it also means you have lots of competition on hand for
units that are just like yours.
Condos can make ideal and happy homes. Be sure to do your due diligence when
researching which community is right for you!
Now here are some condo listings for you from throughout Orange County. If I can be of help please feel free to call on me.
Art Livesey, Associate Broker Coldwell Banker Lazier Realty 845-476-7093
Email me
Showing properties
1 - 5 of 11.
See more city of Chester real estate.
(all data current as of
5/20/2012)
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$199,000 : 3103 Whispering Hills Dr, Chester3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$189,999 : 1816 WHISPERING HILLS, Chester3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$160,000 : 2408 Whispering Hills DR, Chester2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths
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$149,900 : 3105 WHISPERING HILLS DR, Chester2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths
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$159,900 : 2606 WHISPERING HILLS DR 2606, Chester2 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
Showing properties
1 - 2 of 2.
See more city of Goshen real estate.
(all data current as of
5/20/2012)
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$249,900 : 149 MONTGOMERY ST, Goshen3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$269,900 : 145 MONTGOMERY ST, Goshen3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
Showing properties
1 - 5 of 82.
See more city of Middletown real estate.
(all data current as of
5/20/2012)
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$75,000 : 3 W Fortune RD 3 J, Middletown1 bed, 1 full bath
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$209,900 : 24 SYCAMORE DR, Middletown3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$134,900 : 22 ANVIL LN, Middletown3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths
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$300,000 : 61 WOODSIDE KNOLLS DR, Middletown3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
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$124,750 : 207 DEER CT, Middletown2 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.
Thank you for your comments