Brenda Hayward
5 Topics to Discuss With Your Agent
When Buying a Condo
coldwell banker   malibu
2) Local Schools
The quality of school systems has long been important information for home-buying families. If you have children
with your real estate agent. Not only is it important to consider the location of your condo relative to area schools,
but you’ll also want to think about the quality and diversity of local school offerings. Your real estate agent can
provide both public and private school information for all the neighborhoods in which you’re considering buying a
condo.

3) Commuting
For many condo-owners, commuting from home to work and back is a necessary evil. Some people feel that a
long commute can detract from their quality of life and the time they get to spend at home. Commuting should be a
critical factor in home selection, because in many communities, traffic backups are increasingly common. And
today, this phenomenon applies to urban, suburban and even rural areas. If having little or no commute to work is
important to you, convey this to your real estate agent.

4) Community Details
Whether you hope to buy a condo in a vibrant urban neighborhood or a charming rural town, the demographics,
details and community statistics of a particular area are almost as important a consideration when buying a home
as the details of the house itself. Even more significant in a condo-living situation is information about your
condominium’s own community. Are most of the residents retirees? Recent college graduates? The community
information and statistics of both your condominium and the town or city in which it is located are crucial factors in
your home-buying decision.

5) Budget and Condo Fees
For some, the decision to purchase a condo is based primarily on the convenience a condo lifestyle offers. For
most people however, the most rigid constraint of home-buying and the central reason for choosing a condo is the
buyer’s budget. While condos are generally less expensive than houses, a buyer should be aware of additional
costs, like HOA dues. Be sure to research the condo association’s dues and exactly what those dues include. It’s a
good idea to check out a one-year utility history for the unit you’re interested in, as well.

Thanks to today’s creative lending solutions, budget constraints are not as rigid as they once were. Many
innovative mortgage options are now available to both first-time and veteran home-buyers. Before beginning a
condo search, you should talk to both your real estate agent and your lender about your finance options and
ultimately, your budget.











The staff at Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC writes select articles about important topics related to real estate. For more information about buying a home or selling your current property, visit ColdwellBanker.com
today
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One of the first questions to consider when deciding to buy a home is: house or condo?
your real estate agent before beginning your home buying search:

1) What You Can’t Live Without
If your version of the American Dream doesn’t include mowing the lawn, a condo might
be a great choice. If you can’t live without your own backyard, a big garage, or plenty of
space between you and your neighbors, your needs may be better suited to a detached
single-family residence. However, if the idea of a condo sounds right, talk to your real
estate agent about other important aspects of your future home. For example, a
gourmet cook might seek out a well-designed kitchen. Someone who works from home
might need dedicated space for a home office. Additionally, there are decisions specific
to condo living which you will need to think about.  What types of association amenities
are you looking for?  These can include pools, covered parking, clubhouses, and 24-
hour security. Do you have a pet?  Some condo associations have restrictions
regarding pet ownership or even such things as having outdoor barbecues.  Be sure to
include all aspects of your home buying requirements in the information you provide to
your real estate agent.
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