Buying a Condo in Columbia, MO – Not Sure?
Condo - Townhome Style!
The clock ticks 5 o’clock on Friday afternoon. You pack up your stuff and call it a day. You head home thinking of the short relaxing stroll you’ll take after supper, along the tree-lined path around the park just across the street.
After securely locking your car in your private garage, you pause to sniff the flowers in your courtyard before entering your new home – a condominium in Columbia, MO. What a wonderful start to a weekend! Best of all, there’s no need to set the alarm so you remember to get up early and get the lawn mowed before the heat of the day.
Sound good so far?
Yes, condo living is convenient, with less maintenance responsibilities and a lot of perks to go with it. Condominium styles and amenities vary – your new condo may be a single-story detached cottage or a three-story townhome – but there are distinct advantages and disadvantages to condos that you should know about.
High-end, high-dollar condos may offer pools, gyms and recreational facilities which many people enjoy. Others prefer less costly, more “home-y” features – the ability to live in your own detached home, in a safe, friendly community with green space and privacy.
Whatever your preference, the primary advantages of condos, at least as they are found in Columbia, MO, are the same – easy access to markets, malls, schools and medical care in a location that is well-planned for life-long community living. Even more important to many potential condo-dwellers is the fact that outdoor maintenance is taken care of. If mowing, snow removal and exterior maintenance is not something you enjoy, you’ll love the convenience of having it done for you!
But condo living is not for everyone, and certain types of condominiums are a better fit for certain people than others.
Condominiums are usually located near business districts, making them an ideal choice for young professionals and executives who need closer proximity to work. They’re also a great option for older people who want modern, well-maintained homes with everything they need just a few minutes away. If your kids are grown and you’re ready to downsize, a condo might be an excellent option for you – especially if you like the idea of having neighbors nearby to watch your home while you’re gone, and a yard that will be taken care of for you.
Yet there are restrictions and costs associated with to condo living. You need to pay monthly or yearly homeowner association fees (these cover your lawn care), in addition to your mortgage payment. There are often rules about noise, unit renovations and pet ownership. Lot sizes are usually limited. Some condo builders will allow you to modify and upgrade their units, some will not. Some condos have more stringent restrictions than others. Facilities and common areas that are shared with your neighbors may entail personal adjustments on your part.
Condo - Cottage Style (Brookside Square, Columbia MO)
Condominium developments that offer various styles of condos, such as Brookside Square in Columbia, MO, make it a bit easier to find a compromise that is good for you. If you can’t imagine yourself sharing your walls with someone else, one of their detached cottages may be a better choice. If you don’t mind steps and want a lot of room for your dollar, a townhome may be ideal.
The best property investment will always be the one that fits you, your lifestyle and your needs. Knowing exactly what you want in a home will bring you closer to the right choice. If you’re not sure which of the condos in Columbia, MO best suit your unique needs, please call Realtor Nancy Larkin at 573.219.0185 and she can answer your questions.