Are Condos The Best Option For You?

Condominium living has become a very fashionable option over the last decades. For many North Americans, the relatively carefree lifestyle is the main appeal. Buyers enjoy the minimal maintenance required of condos as well as their lower price. Social, entertainment and recreational activities are also offered in many condominium complexes, particularly with condos for sale in Toronto. However, before you purchase a condominium, you should ensure that this is the right choice for you.

A condo is a really a form of ownership as opposed to a style of construction. This form of ownership can apply to houses, low-rise residential buildings and townhouses although it is usually associated with high rise buildings. Condominiums are composed of two parts, the unit and the common areas. The units are owned individually and are recorded in the owner's name. The unit owners own in common the common areas such as recreational facilities, hallways, elevators, gardens, etc.

Purchasing a condominium means that you hold your specific unit but also that you become part proprietor of the common property elements of your complex. However, certain unit owners may have unshared use of some of the common property elements. For example, parking spaces, storage, balconies are unshared use of common property elements. Be sure to enquire about these before you purchase as they may still involve restrictions even though they are exclusive use common elements.

Each condominium complex has its unique set of regulations, rules and bylaws. Based on the condo corporation, these will either be relaxed or very strict. Toronto condos often have rules that dictate restrictions on pets, noise, parking, alterations to the unit space or appearance, etc.

Condos vary from conversions, resale and new constructions and are offered in all shapes and sizes. A lower purchase price, new home warranty protection, finishing options and a choice of unit location are all advantages of new constructions that will appeal to some buyers. However, with a new construction you may not actually receive the unit that you are buying and there could be changes made to it in the construction phase.

Conversion condos are very similar to new condominiums in the early stages. The shell of the building being already in place is the main distinction between the two. Conversions and new condos share many of the same benefits. Some projects may offer unique constructions such as lofts. Home warranty programs may not apply to conversion condos so it is important to check this with your provincial program. Also, some of the internal elements will already be dated which may mean that significant repairs may be required sooner rather than later.

For those you like to see the units and the grounds before they commit to buying, buying a resale condo may be the best option. You could contact the property manager or the board of directors and ask questions to the exiting unit owners. This can offer you with valuable information. The limit of unit options and the possible need to upgrade or renovate them can be a draw back of resale units.

Make sure to speak to professionals who specialize in condominiums before you complete your decision. An experienced real estate agent can help you save time and energy. To defend your legal interests, retain the help of a real estate lawyers with knowledge of condominiums.  To find out whether the unit or building needs repairs or is defective, hire a good home inspector. To ensure that you can afford the monthly expenses including mortgage, condo fees and property taxes, make sure to talk to a financial advisor. Take your time and visit as many condominiums as possible. The best condo is out there, as unique as you are.