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March 28, 2007
Want to Buy A Condo? Where Do You Start?
I want to buy a condo, but what do I look for, you know, so I don’t get burned?
Here is what not to do: trust yourself, trust a realtor who does not sell very many condos, or ... think it doesn’t matter who you talk to. Here are some things to do:
Locate your area or areas of choice.
Find a Realtor who is an area specialist who commonly deals with condominiums, or who is known to sell in those areas. Getting referrals from satisfied clients is the best way to find an honest reliable realtor. And know that a condominium is a unique property with characteristics that are not obvious to anyone who has not studied them.
Be sure to drive through the complexes that interest you, look around, check out the condition of the buildings housing the homes, and the common areas like the pool, clubhouse, greenbelt, parks, etc. Are the neighborhoods well tended and well kept? Are the common areas clean and well kept? Are the streets and driveways fairly clear of distracting vehicles or is every inch of the street running through the development cluttered with parked vehicles, leaving only a narrow thoroughfare. Is the landscaping kept up? Are the trees trimmed? Are they very large and close to fences or the homes? Are there walkways? Does the neighborhood look kid friendly (if you have kids), or quiet (if you don’t). Are the balconies cluttered with items that should be in storage?
Try to drive through during the day so you can see the condition of the complex, the fences, yards, and buildings, and also do a drive through in the evening so you can see what happens when everyone comes home from work. Do people you see wave and smile, or not wave and not smile? Is the setting country, or urban? What is around the development, shops or open space? Are people out walking around or does the development look deserted? Are the mail boxes stuffed with advertisements falling out all over the place or are they neat and tidy
You know more about what you like than the realtor does. Some places you can scope out yourself, but others might require hooking up with a realtor (like a gated community). The important thing is: can you see yourself living there?
Posted by Beth Grimm at March 28, 2007 1:20 PM