When looking for a new home for sale in the Bay Area and elsewhere, it is important to consider between condos and houses. Most people don’t consider condos at all, because they believe them to be pricey or too luxurious, but there are many great options out there that are easy to afford, and there is nothing wrong with wanting a luxurious lifestyle. However, it may be difficult to decide which option works best for you.
Location
No matter what you decide, you need to find the right location. If you have kids, you should consider school districts, and if you want to live directly in the middle of city life, you will likely want a condo. If you prefer commuting or want to live away from direct cities, a house may be a more prevalent option for you.
Decide what you need in a location before you start searching. Make a list of everything that is important to you, no matter what it is and then go from there. If you find that you have too many important factors, you can go through them and number them from one to whatever in order of importance to you and then find something that holds the top numbers.
Privacy
While both condos for sale and houses will offer you privacy, you are likely to find more privacy in a house. Neighbors will be part of the package in a condominium, so if you want to be far away from prying eyes, the house is a better option. However, if you enjoy seeing neighbors and knowing that people aren’t far away, then condo living could be perfect.
Maintenance
Bay Area maintenance may not seem too difficult, but most professionals don’t have the time for weed-eating, lawn mowing and traditional landscape care. Another factor to consider is that condos for sale will usually have some HOA, which will handle many maintenance and repair issues. Regular maintenance on the outside and inside of the home is important, so consider whether you must be responsible for repairs and replacements or if you want to leave some of the burden with condo owners/managers.
Budget
It is never okay to go over your budget. If you know you cannot afford something, you shouldn’t try to get it. While financing is available for both homes and condos for sale in the Bay Area, not being able to afford the financing plan will not help.
