| Well, here I am buying my first condo and boy | | | | units are for sale. Also look at the cars parked in |
| am I learning alot.First I learned to pick a real | | | | the parking |
| estate agent I know or at least one | | | | lot. Are they BMWs or beat up Chevy's with |
| who has been recommended. There are so | | | | bullet holes? You don't |
| many behind the scenes deals | | | | have to live at the Ritz but you also don't want |
| going on, with some of these realtors, that you | | | | most of the units |
| can't tell whether | | | | to be composed of drug dealers either.Check into |
| they actually care if you get a good deal or not. | | | | the surrounding area. Are you close to a good |
| Some realtors | | | | school? |
| only work with certain builders or certain | | | | This should help your property retain its value. |
| properties. This means | | | | Also check on the |
| that there is a whole world of other condos out | | | | criminal statistics in that area. It may look pretty |
| there in your price | | | | during the day |
| range that you may not be seeing.Next I learned | | | | but what happens at night?Research is your best |
| to check the construction. Here in Florida you | | | | tool. Selling prices of sorrounding units and |
| want | | | | properties are public record. See what the |
| a concrete based construction. Many of these | | | | properties around you |
| new condos or | | | | sold for in the last few months and compare it |
| apartment to condo conversions use what | | | | to the asking price. |
| seems like pliewood. This | | | | Are the seller's expectations too high? |
| is not a great idea in a state full of termites and | | | | Negotiate.Never give full asking price. Here in |
| humidity. The | | | | Orlando, I have heard of |
| last thing you want is to find mold growing on | | | | houses going for more than the asking price. This |
| your fabulous | | | | is nuts! Everyone |
| outfits, when you open your closets or see | | | | is acting as if there won't be another house for |
| chunks of your wall | | | | sale ever. This is |
| missing. Also with the number of hurricanes we | | | | ludicrous. Every time I drive down the street, I |
| get down here, the | | | | see new houses |
| concrete based buildings have a much better | | | | posted for sale and these signs are staying up |
| chance of surviving. | | | | for longer periods. There are |
| Ask the realtor and the seller what the building is | | | | motivated sellers out there.See if the owners are |
| made out of. | | | | still in residence. If they are still living |
| They are legally required to answer your | | | | there, they may not be completely motivated to |
| questions.Also, ask if they have had any problems | | | | sell. After all they |
| at all with the unit or the building. If | | | | are only paying their mortgate, as usual. On the |
| you don't ask they don't have to tell you | | | | other hand if the |
| everything. That is where | | | | apartment is vacant and the electricity is turned |
| the saying buyer beware comes from. They | | | | off, they may be |
| have to answer your | | | | alot more motivated to sell. They are now |
| questions honestly but anything left unasked is | | | | paying the mortgage for |
| your responsibility | | | | an empty condo plus rent or another mortgage |
| or for the courts and your lawyers to battle | | | | on another property.These are just a few tips on |
| out.Talk to your future neighbors. If everyone | | | | making sure you get a first home that |
| living there looks | | | | you can be proud of and happy in. Happy Hunting. |
| depressed or pissed off there may be a darned | | | | Christakos is a published author and a private real |
| good reason these | | | | estate investor. |