Condo and Loft Homebuyer's Guide
Find out if these urban abodes are right for you to buy, live in
By Alyson McNutt English, FrontDoor.com | Published: 6/12/2008
A wide array of amenities appeals to diverse types of buyers.
Step 1: Weigh the Pros and Cons
The condo lifestyle can be an attractive choice for a variety of buyers, such as families who like to be near parks and schools or the empty-nester looking to downsize, says Roy E. Carroll II, owner of The Carroll Companies, a Greensboro, N.C.-based real estate development corporation.
Advantages of living in a condo or loft building include:
- Sense of safety;
- Minimal exterior maintenance;
- Convenience;
- Sense of community;
- Resortlike amenities, such as concierge service, pools, fitness facilities, tennis courts, roof deck with views and valet service.
But expect to sacrifice some freedom.
"It can be a bigger process to get approval for renovations, and sometimes personal hobbies and entertaining may be curtailed, depending on building rules," says Tracie Hamersly, senior vice president of the Manhattan-based Citi Habitats, a real estate company specializing in lofts and condo spaces.
