| Many people don't realize that there is a big | | | | There may be regulations against changing the |
| difference between buying a condo and buying a | | | | exterior appearance of your home, even by |
| house. Depending on your home owner style, you | | | | planting flowers. If you don't do well with such |
| may prefer to buy one or the other, but the fact | | | | strict guidelines, you'd be better off looking for a |
| is, going with a condo may actually be the better | | | | place that has looser ones. |
| idea. | | | | That being said, there are some distinct |
| When you buy a house, you are purchasing not | | | | advantages to purchasing a condo, over buying a |
| only the actual home, you are also purchasing the | | | | house. For busy home owners, not having to |
| land it sits on. You are responsible for the upkeep | | | | actually deal with the upkeep and looks of their |
| of the house, its exterior and yard, if any. This | | | | home can be a very good thing. In some cases, |
| can get rather expensive, and, in general, houses | | | | utilities such as water, gas and electricity are |
| are more expensive to buy than condos. While | | | | included in the monthly homeowner's fee, meaning |
| you can customize the exterior of a house fairly | | | | a big savings in the long run. |
| easily and usually without complaints, you have to | | | | In addition, condos tend to be cheaper to buy, in |
| decide if this is important enough to take on the | | | | part because of the monthly fee requirement and |
| responsibility of a house. | | | | in part because they are smaller than a regular |
| Condos, on the other hand, are homes that share | | | | house. Still, a condo is an excellent choice, |
| common land and walls. Though there are now | | | | particularly for young, single people or young |
| instances of detached condos, the majority are | | | | couples who are looking for something |
| still built in rows, somewhat like townhouses, with | | | | comfortable that requires minimal upkeep. This |
| a common wall between them. When you buy a | | | | can be an excellent way to start out your life in |
| condo, you are purchasing the interior and will | | | | your own home. You have the benefits of home |
| become part of a homeowner's association. The | | | | ownership, without all the responsibilities that go |
| homeowners are jointly responsible for the | | | | along with owning property. Security and living |
| property, requiring you to pay a monthly fee for | | | | stability, but the maintenance is taken care of. |
| upkeep and maintenance. | | | | Condos are not right for everyone, but they can |
| It's important to read the legal documents | | | | be a good choice for anyone looking to own a |
| carefully because there are a lot of rules that go | | | | place without having to take care of it much. Just |
| along with joint ownership of the condo complex. | | | | be sure to look carefully at the documents before |
| Each homeowner's association will have different | | | | signing anything and you'll be fine. |
| rules and the paperwork can get pretty lengthy. | | | | |