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Condos, apartments, and co-op housing: Which one is right for you?

Condos, apartments, and co-op housing are all wonderful alternatives to detached single-family homes. These properties are often located in a central location and offer more flexibility— two attributes young professionals and couples like.

If you’re in the middle of conducting a Brazos County property search to find your next home, continue reading so you don’t mix up the three and find the ideal option.

CONDOMINIUMS

A condo is a private residence within a multi-unit building or compound. While you’ll only own the actual unit you purchased, you have a stake on property’s common areas and amenities, which may include a swimming pool, fitness center, lobby, and lounge.

Condominium buildings tend to be located in or close to downtown and financial districts, giving residents convenient access to public transit, popular restaurants, and top attractions. They can either be high-rise, mid-rise, or low-rise structures. Some condos look like townhouses!

Benefits of living in a condo

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  • Residents can enjoy top-notch amenities without the headaches of maintenance. Pools and gyms can significantly increase the prize of a single-family home, as well as require regular maintenance. In a condo, you’ll be able to enjoy the use of such facilities minus the hefty price tag and upkeep. 
  • Condos have good security measures in place. Resident safety is always a top priority in condominiums, with many buildings equipped with security systems and manned by a highly trained security staff. Some may even have more robust safety featured such as floor-specific keycard access.
  • Condos do built equity over time. The growing value of condos is great news if you plan to move into a larger single-family home a few years down the line. At that point, you’ll probably have paid off your mortgage in full and built equity. You can cash in on your investment to finance your new home. Alternatively, you can rent the property out to earn additional income.

CO-OP HOUSING

Cooperative homes, more commonly referred to as co-op homes, is a type of homeownership where you own a building with other residents under a corporation. In other words, people who buy co-op homes are actually purchasing shares of the corporation, which entitles them to a unit within the property. Co-op homes are most common in cities with high costs of living.

Benefits of living in a co-op

  • The initial buy-in for a co-op is usually much more affordable compared to purchasing a condo. The non-profit nature of the corporations running co-ops means that common fees are collected on an at-cost basis. Barring significant maintenance and repair projects, these fees can be affordable. This is especially true if the occupancy rate of the co-op is high.
  • An “all for one, one for all” mentality leads to a stronger sense of community. Co-op residents usually have more control over their living environment. This increased responsibility fosters a stronger sense of pride and community among residents. As a result, it is common for members to stay in the co-op long-term.
  • High occupancy rates keep expenses low. Given how well-run co-ops tend to see good resident retention rates, the best co-op communities are able to keep expenses low for a longer period of time. 

APARTMENTS

Apartments are multi-family properties where an individual unit is typically rented rather than owned. They may be run by a landlord or a property management company. 

Benefits of living in an apartment

  • Renting an apartment provides you with all the benefits of a condo at a fraction of the cost. Although rent prices will fluctuate depending on market movements, it will still be cheaper than monthly mortgage payments. And despite the lower cost, you’re entitled to enjoy the apartment’s amenities.
  • You don’t have to pay hidden costs as a renter. Not many people realize this, but homeownership comes with a lot of “hidden costs”. These may include HVAC repairs, real estate taxes, home insurance, and more. As a renter, you don’t have to worry about these costs as the responsibility falls on the shoulders of your landlord.

WHICH TYPE OF PROPERTY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

It depends on your needs, lifestyle, and financial capability. Location may play a part in the decision-making process, too, especially if it’s tied to work or you’re attending school. 

To ensure you make the right decision, explore the full range of your real estate options in College Station and Brazos County, TX with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Caliber Realty. Start your property search! Get in touch with the team at  979.694.8844  or send an email here

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