Why a Condo May Be a Great Option for Your First Home

<article class="post-1047658 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry" id="post-1047658"><span class="entry-date">May 15, 2024</span><div class="entry-header center-block text-center"><h1 class="entry-title">Why a Condo May Be a Great Option for Your First Home</h1><div class="shareBlock"><div class="shareTitle">Share</div><div class="shareIcons"><a aria-label="Twitter Share Link" class="twitter solid display-inline-block" data-tracking="Post,Social Post Link Clicked,Twitter" href="http://twitter.com/share?text=Why+a+Condo+May+Be+a+Great+Option+for+Your+First+Home&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fgilliggroup.com%2Fblog%2Fwhy-a-condo-may-be-a-great-option-for-your-first-home%2F" target="_blank"><span class="force-hidden">Twitter</span></a>
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</div></div><div class="post-tax post-category"><span></span><a href="../category/realtor-blog/index.html" rel="tag">Realtor Blog</a></div><div class="post-tax post-post_tag"></div></div><div class="entry-content"><div><img alt="Why a Condo May Be a Great Option for Your First Home Simplifying The Market" decoding="async" loading="lazy" src="https://media.agentaprd.com/sites/222/20240515-Why-a-Condo-May-Be-a-Great-Option-for-Your-First-Home.webp" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear: both; max-width: 100%;" width=""/>
<p>Having a <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2024/05/07/tips-for-younger-homebuyers-how-to-make-your-dream-a-reality/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hard time</a> finding a first home that’s right for you and your wallet? Well, here’s a tip – think about condominiums, or condos for short.</p>
<p>They’re usually smaller than single-family homes, but that’s exactly why they can be easier on your budget. According to the latest <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-descended-4-3-in-march#:~:text=Single-family%20and%20Condo%2FCo-op%20Sales&amp;text=The%20median%20existing%20single-family,year%20ago%20(440%2C000%20units)." rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">data</a> from the <em>National Association of Realtors</em> (NAR), condos are typically <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2024/04/22/what-you-really-need-to-know-about-home-prices-1/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">less expensive</a> than single-family homes (<em>see graph below</em>):</p>
<p><a href="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240513/20240515-Price-of-Condos-vs-Single-Family-Homes.png" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img alt="No Caption Received" decoding="async" src="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240513/20240515-Price-of-Condos-vs-Single-Family-Homes.png"/></a></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>So, if you’re comfortable with a smaller space and want </strong><a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2024/05/01/the-perks-of-buying-over-renting/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>to buy</strong></a><strong> your first home this year, adding condos to your search might be easier on your wallet.</strong></p>
<p>Besides giving you more options for your home search and maybe fitting <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2024/04/18/is-it-getting-more-affordable-to-buy-a-home/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">your budget</a> better, living in a condo has a bunch of other perks, too. <a href="https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/what-is-a-condo" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: windowtext;" target="_blank">According</a> to <em>Rocket Mortgage</em>:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“From community living to walkable urban areas, </em><strong><em>condos are great options for first-time home buyers and people looking to enjoy homeownership without extensive upkeep</em></strong><em>.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Let’s dive into a few of the draws of condos for <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2024/04/08/dont-let-your-student-loans-delay-your-homeownership-plans/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">first-time buyers</a> from <em>Bankrate</em>:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>They require less maintenance.</strong> Condos are great if you want to own your place but don’t want to mow the lawn, shovel snow, or fix the roof. Your real estate agent can help explain any associated fees and details for the condos you’re interested in.</li>
<li><strong>They allow you to start building equity.</strong> When you buy a condo, you build <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2024/04/26/equity-can-make-your-move-possible-when-affordability-is-tight-infographic/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">equity</a> and your net worth as you make your mortgage payments and as your condo’s value goes up over time.</li>
<li><strong>They often come with added amenities.</strong> Your condo might come with access to amenities like a pool, dog park, or parking. And the best part? You don’t have to take care of any of them.</li>
<li><strong>They provide you with a sense of community.</strong> Buying a condo means you’ll be living close to other people, which is nice if you enjoy having neighbors around and making friends. Many condo communities hold fun events like barbecues and parties during holidays for everyone to enjoy.</li>
</ul>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Remember, your first home doesn’t have to be the one you stay in forever.</strong> The important thing is to get your foot in the door as a homeowner so you can start to gain home equity. Later on, that equity can help you buy another place if you need something different.</p>
<p>Ultimately, owning and living in a condo is a <a href="https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/2024/04/12/the-perks-of-downsizing-when-you-retire-infographic/?a=712984-fa409495d5d70154d03a25e81e9540e2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">lifestyle choice</a>. And if it’s one that appeals to you, they could provide the added options you need in today’s market.</p>
<h3>Bottom Line</h3>
<p>It might be a good idea to think about condos in your home search. If you’re ready to see what’s out there, get in touch with a local real estate agent today.</p>
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