A Beginner’s Guide to Buying an Apartment
When you’re looking to buy a home, there are plenty of choices available. One of them is an apartment. Read on to learn about this type of property and what it entails.
What is an Apartment?
An apartment also called a condominium or condo, is an individually-owned housing unit in a building. The owners jointly own shared luxury facilities such as pools, garages, gyms, backup generators, etc. Apartments are usually found in high-rise buildings, but you can find detached ones in some markets. These sorts of housing can be rented or owned by individuals.
Why Buy an Apartment?
For some prospective home buyers, buying an apartment can be the start of homeownership. With an apartment, you only have to take care of the interior. All the rest is handled by a professional management company and you won’t have to clean the building nor bother about major maintenances.
When you own one of these housing units, you can expect a community life that single-family homes don’t often provide. With apartments, it is a lot easier to pursue travel with peace of mind. This is because once you lock your door, everything will be taken care of. Therefore, lower-maintenance living is one advantage of an apartment.
Factors to Consider Before Buying an Apartment
Looking for an apartment involves the same process as shopping for a single-family home. But for an apartment, you don’t have to think just about sales contracts but about rules that dictate the way the building will be governed. Before buying your apartment, you should read the documents that apply to the management of the complex.
If you’ve decided that buying an apartment is for you, do find a real estate agent who will have your best interests in mind. Ideally, you will need someone with a track record in apartments. Since these housing styles can offer a wide variety of amenities, when working with your realtor, make sure to address the type of amenities you want. You are buying access to these amenities when you buy your unit. This is in addition to other factors like location and budget considerations. Also, apart from your mortgage, you may need to pay apartment maintenance fees for the upkeep of the property and its amenities.
Conclusion
If you are thinking about buying real estate, an apartment is a type of housing that you should consider. An apartment is a suitable choice for a first-time homeowner, someone who spends time traveling, anyone who would rather not bother about maintenance, and so on. Most apartments are strategically located. Hence, not only would you have amenities within the building environment, but you could be within walking distance of public transportation, malls, and other important facilities. Consult with a real estate professional who specializes in apartments to guide you in your home search.
Source: SAIF Properties- Real Estate in Kenya.
