After viewing a string of ugly, worn-out single family homes, our Realtor asked if we’d like to see a townhouse.
“Sure, why not?” we said.
Because it had two floors, high ceilings, and a small patio and lawn outside the glass sliders, it felt more like a house than an apartment. For our price range, it looked like the best deal. We lived there for five years, and then sold for a profit.
Here are seven things I learned from that experience:
1) The HOA management is an important factor. When we moved in, the 16 units were self-managed and had very low HOA dues. By the time we’d moved out, a management company had been set up and dues were more than double.
2) Your neighbors will affect your life more, because they are close by. Fortunately, we had wonderful (quiet, friendly, non-invasive) neighbors. But others have not been so fortunate, so it is a good idea to do a little door knocking before you decide on a unit.
3) Look at the HOA budget. You want to see that there is money in reserves so if something like a roof repair or exterior paint is needed, you won’t be hit with a large assessment.
4) City condo living can be fun. From our condo, we loved walking to downtown shops, the movie theater, library, an array of restaurants, as well as the park on the shore of Lake Washington.
5) Parking could be an issue. Each unit had a single garage plus one outdoor space, so it worked out. When my husband purchased his ’66 GTO, we needed more garage space. So think ahead. Some condos charge extra for covered parking.
6) No yard maintenance is great! As busy professionals, not having a lawn to mow, leaves to rake, or weeding to do was a big plus. The HOA took care of weekly maintenance. However, I still enjoyed planting flowers in large pots by the front and back doors.
7) Small pets are allowed in most condominiums, but find out ahead what the rules are, especially if you love a large animal. For us, our kitty got along just fine.
We have many happy memories from our condo days. The profit we made helped us move into a single family residence when we were ready for more space and a private yard.