“Some people choose to live by complaining. Other people choose to live.”
– Dr. Shad Helmstetter
By Rick Gibson
The pros and cons of each – condos and single family homes – remind me a bit of people who prefer dogs over cats or the other way around. The difference, of course, is that we do not live in our pets, but our pets live with us. I think people who think they do not like cats or dogs have just not been exposed to the right ones could change their minds quickly. Similarly, there are strong preferences by some people toward single family homes over condos that make asking this question interesting, considering we really are not supposed to know exactly what we want, but rather that is what “shopping” for homes is about. If you are a person that, for whatever reason, prefers condos over single family or vice versa then it’s simple … it’s your home, after all.
If there was one difference that comes to mind when I meet a client who is unsure, especially when they are buying a second home, it would be the “relative privacy”. In my opinion, there is significantly more “privacy” in single family home living than in condos and you can create as much independence there as you desire with landscaping, fences and more. Condos, by definition, are part of an “association” and so are part of a “group” of units that share common areas, land (usually), and walls and floors. If you are a person that simply does not want to have “rules and regulations,” then you may want to stick to single family. However, if it is only the “hallways” and “feeling” of being in a complex that bothers you, then there are complexes that have catwalks or open walkways that could overcome this particular concern. If you like some parts and not others of the condo lifestyle, then townhomes could be a perfect compromise.
Independence is an interesting benefit to both single family homes and condos, but in different ways. For some people who travel a lot, condos may not “be” independent, but allow them as owners to live with independence, and not enslaved by thoughts of their pool maintenance, landscaping or any type of upkeep or personnel. These people might rather pay for maintenance and not think about their yards or pool.
Of course, if you are unsure you can have it both ways … you can have a single family home and hire people to maintain your pool, lawn or a property management company to cover every possible concern.
The benefit to independence of single family is that you will not generally have any “rules and regulations”. So, if you have disdain when neighbors park in their yards, or have living room furniture on their front porches, you need to study the neighborhood you buy in or accept that rules and regulations can be very “good” things, and not the perceived negatives the words imply. Rules, if they protect a common interest, serve us all very well and improve your quality of life.
Those are a few of the broad concepts and benefits to condos and single family homes. Next, there are some very specific ones that may be “deal-killers” for you. Please do not spend your time looking at condos until you first decide if you must have a washer/dryer in your unit, as opposed to common laundry; if you want the freedom to lease out your property the first year you purchase; or if you have pets. If pets are a big part of your lives, then start there. If your pet weighs 26 pounds and you need to be under 25 pounds, then that could be one big pound when it comes to making a decision.
Regardless of which one you choose, use a Realtor® that does not only show you want you “think” you want, but opens your mind to obstacles you may learn later and points out benefits of options you may not have considered. Your home is your retreat and “safe place,” so please don’t compromise on what is most important to you as an individual, couple or family.
Rick Gibson is a Realtor®, Re/Max Preferred and Managing Member, Gibson Group Property Management, LLC. He can be reached via email at rickginfla@aol.com