cdigioia
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join:2005-06-08
korea, repub
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edit:
May 11th, @06:04AM
| Condos vs. Houses
My 60 year old mother (windowed) is looking for a house in S. Oregon. Her budget is around $165,000. It seems for her budget, she can get a quite nice condo, or a not-so-nice house.
What are the pros & cons of condos in your opinion/experience? That I can think of.
Cons:
(Slightly?) lower long-term appreciation
Neighbors are closer.
Homeowner's Fees
Pros:
Generally don't have to worry about repairs
Nicer unit available for same cost
Seems safer, though I may be mistaken
No landscaping
Homeowner's fees often include many utilities
Also, how often do condos allow small dogs? |
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grobinette
Premium,MVM
join:2001-01-27
Springfield, VA
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
edit:
May 11th, @06:55AM
| The appreciation shouldn't be much lower. In some ways condos even things out because they are responsible for the exterior maintenance and you don't get stuck next door to the guy who won't paint or cut grass.
One advantage to a condo is that if their funds are managed properly they will take care of a lot of the maintenance that otherwise is left to the individual homeowner without special assessments.
Homeowners fees need to be appropriate for what is provided and the association needs to maintain a slush fund for unforeseen or future repairs. Some condos have been guilty of keeping the fees artificially low to attract buyers. When it comes time to resurface the pool deck, replace a roof or if a major mechanical system fails they don't have the money set aside.
Another down side can also be with the homeowners association if they are condo Nazis and don't apply much common sense to their judgements. Ours tries to strike a balance between what is best overall for everyone while still allowing individuals some latitude.
Usually Realtors will have information on the reputation of the different condo homeowners associations.
As far as dogs, it may depend on the type of unit. Apartments may have a weight limit on the size of the dog, like no more that XX lbs. but I don't think they restrict them entirely. You need to check to be sure.
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oldeguy
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join:2007-08-04
Phoenixville, PA
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to cdigioia
Homeowner Association Fees add a lot to the price of a condo. Around here they can go from $50 to hundreds of dollars per month. Those fees will likely be raised as time goes on. Some fees cover just the street and landscape maintenance, while others include building siding, roofing, etc.
Unless you have an "end unit" condo/apartment, you have people living on either side of you. The walls don't seem to be very well insulated. My daughter lived in a townhouse condo with her husband and two "babies". Babies are noisy at night. Also, she could "feel" the virbations of one neighbor's stereo bouncing off the walls.
Owning a house is nice, but there's a lot of maintenance involved.
You might look into some "55 plus" communities that meet her needs, also.
I'm only familiar with this part of the "Philadelphia PA" market regarding "townhouse" condos. Perhaps Oregon has different setups. |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | reply to cdigioia
The best thing for her, may be a Retirement Community, which you are seeing in a lot of Cities. Great thing is, no children, or young adult residents, and limits visitors of those age from staying long term. |
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no_one
@QWEST.NET
| reply to cdigioia
A true age restricted retirement community depends on the person. Some people of any age hate children outside playing, some like it.
Either way you want a safe neighborhood. Plus relatively quiet. Like children playing is ok but no loud rock music.
On condo vs, house same thing pick the community that suits her. How much is she cabable of and how much will she be. Condos will have less work than a house in general for outside work.
Does she or wil she travel alot. A condo with yard maintanence may be easier to shut up and just leave and travel than a house. |
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mocycler
Premium
join:2001-01-22
Naperville, IL
·AT&T Midwest
edit:
May 11th, @06:06PM
| reply to cdigioia
Condo appreciation is not inherently less than traditional houses...it's market-driven like everything else.
The main downside to condos is that they sometimes come with a complicated list of rules residents must follow. Mom should read the association rules carefully and make sure they are something she can live with. Have a lawyer go over it and point out details she may miss.
There is no such thing as "maintenance-free". The upkeep will always be needed, it's just a preference of doing it yourself or paying someone else.
Neighbor problems are not more or greater in condos, but they may be more evident with everyone so close together. If your mom is the kind of person who is easily put off or is headstrong in having her way, then reconsider getting her a condo. It does take more willingness to compromise and get along.
Lastly, she should keep in mind her priorities may not be everyone else's. If she thinks they should paint the place and can't get agreement, then she's out of luck. Likewise, if she wants new carpeting in the lobby and they decide to rehab the pool deck instead, she'll be stuck paying for something she sees no value in.
I lived in a townhouse with an association for a while and it was a good experience. But it's easy for things to go sour. If your mom fully understands what she's buying into and thinks everything through, she should be very happy in a condo.
mocycler |
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cocothebean
You Are My Nightmare
Premium
join:2002-11-16
Carson City, NV
 ·Charter Pipeline
| reply to cdigioia
grobinette brings up a good point, one I never though of even though I myself won't buy a condo, I need my space!!!
Is that maintenance fees can/may go up and how much are they allowed to raise them???
Good question to ask if looking into condos!!!
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to cdigioia
"Not so nice house".
Having gone through the gestapo tactics that HOAs like to play she would get frustrated very quickly[specially if she likes to have stuff outside where she lives]
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When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee |
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nightdesigns
Gone missing, back soon
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join:2002-05-31
AZ
·Cox HSI
| reply to cdigioia
Don't forget, there are some communities with detached condos. The community takes care of the building, but you're not sharing any walls.
If she wants something more house like, but without quite as much responsibility, take a look at townhomes.
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This Space for Rent... |
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hoyleysox
join:2003-11-07
Long Beach, CA
·Time Warner Telecom
| reply to cdigioia
Two new factors are likely to lower condo prices [more].
PMI companies are becoming less willing to provide mortgage insurance for condos in certain areas. Also, Fannie May is/will be requiring more paperwork for condo loans.
»www.latimes.com/classified/reale···51.story
(free registration required)
Also, if there are a lot of people are delinquent on the HOA dues, the other tenants are expected to pick up the slack. |
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Hayward
K A R - 1 2 0 C
Premium
join:2000-07-13
Key West, FL
edit:
May 12th, @02:50AM
| reply to cdigioia
If you can afford it and and area you don't feel you MUST be FENCED IN.... absolutely house.
With the possibility, you are older and doing your own norm maint. might be a problem.
You people absolutely the house is much better deal... and like adjustable mortgages now guaranteee the maint fee you sign up for are going to be 2 or 3 x that in a few years to the point they themselves equal area rent.
Plus then all the what you can or can not do with YOUR property BS.
You are a BIG time CONFORMIST... fine... but you have any independent spirit... HELL
Honestly in fall 98 closed on a condo here in Key West.... 2 weekes later Hurricane Georges move in and tore of the roofing... though I stayed there and was able to bail... but did enough damage I'd have to move out to fix. Had unpacked kitchen and bedroom, but otherwise lived out of the boxes for months, untill I lucked into the house pre absurdity RE boom could still afford.
Did the repairs and now rent that, which paid the mortgage on the house (had resources and still cheap enought to have the condo outright)
But anyways back to the point for 10 years the fees have been $75/mo basic no pool or ammenities, paid the building insurance and just this year went up to $100/mo
But many condo's withpretty landscaping, pool, tennis courts, etc. you are talking $500/mo+ (again like rent) plus maybe mortgage... something that must be taken into consideration in overall cost.
And again why I bought that one... maint just paid the insurance... want to swim its a 2x4 mi island ocean is minutes away from anywhere... but some still pay the nonsence for only having to walk feet???? (Again the elderly I understand.
Oh and we have 1 annuaql meeting (required by LAW) and its over in under an hour... thankfully the officers willing to stay... any new... always no.... bits of biz and DONE.
Major condos EVERYONE in EVERYONE one elses businees and major BS, and likely MONTHLY meetings, you could be unknowingly be screwed in if unattended..
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)
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djrobx
join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA
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| reply to cdigioia
Some points:
1) Homeowners Associations are no longer limited to condo complexes. Newer house tracts typically have them also. Other house tracts may not have a HOA, but still have CC&Rs.
2) Condo doesn't necessarily imply an attached residence. I live in a condo complex where we all have our own separate structures, we own our land, and have our own yards. The only thing we share is the driveways are infront of our homes (closer-spaced in repeating, small cul-de-sac formations).
3) Dogs being allowed, and being able to paint the insides is definitely far more likely to be allowed in a condo that you own vs. an apartment or condo that you rent.
4) Definitely check into the HOA fees. I will say our HOA fee is a downright good value. They're just $100/month, but they landscape our front yards, provide security patrol, and maintain a common pool and spa, and takes care of earthquake insurance for the common areas.
5) I do feel that the closer proximity to neighbors offers greater security. It's just harder for someone to sneak around and not be seen.
6) Our condos have appreciated just as much as other homes in our area.
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Laser eye surgery rocks! I love frickin' laser beams. |
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