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Condo living isn’t for everyone, but I’m starting to like it

When I first moved in to this condo as an investment property, I didn't think I would like it. I bought it for a
couple reasons. One, the amount I was going to make after the resale on a lease option was going to be pretty
nice and since it is a one level condo, my dad, who just had knee surgery, could come over anytime.

What I didn't expect was the joy of not having to mow the lawn every Saturday morning, having a pool that
didn't need to be cleaned by me, and water and garbage bills that no longer come, because they are paid for by
the HOA.

My wife and I used to call them glorified apartments, but these are much better construction, and to this day, we
still haven't heard our neighbors and they have yet to say a thing about my loud kids!

Not having yard work to do, has given me a least a couple of extra hours per week to work on real estate, and I
have decided when we buy our next place, we will hire at least a yard maintenance service. This is a service that
I always thought was too expensive when it was something I could do myself. I now realize that the yard looks
better and I am not sweating by 10am on a Saturday morning.

I've also made some great friends here, and we are working to make this a community, instead of a dictatorship
HOA. We are working on putting in picnic tables and a barbeque. Next year, I'm pushing for taking our wasted
grass by the pool and making it into a community garden. During this whole summer, I have yet to see anyone
even step out in that grassy area, besides the mole guy to put out traps, and I think a community garden would
be a nice touch.

For more information on making your condo HOA more user friendly, contact me. Our HOA has come up with
some things that are rather amazing and make us very different than the other HOA's out there and make us
more of a community and friends than enemies.

Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8738
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
http://www.ifoundyournewhome.com/

Posted by Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Your Washington Co. Real Estate Expert) on 09/17/2007 12:38 PM

Comments (7)

condo, buying, buyer, hoa

7 Comments on Condo living isn’t for everyone, but I’m starting to like it

Condos aren't so bad are they? I live in one :) it doesn't bother me too much...haha. I have been here for over 3 years now and I do somewhat miss living in a "stick built" home with a yard. I do love that my lawn is always cut though!

09/17/2007 04:03 PM

by Rick Grand (nowhere)

Todd....condos and townhomes have come a long way! We live in a two story townhome...my husband loves the fact that we don't have to keep up the front yard...altho, I would like to plant different plantings than are there and can't (my only gripe)...we have 3 pools/spas that are taken care of by the association, we have a clubhouse that is available to rent for large parties. I'm not sure I want to live anywhere else except a townhouse.

09/17/2007 10:22 PM

by Mary Warren (Referring Agent)

Sounds like a nice condo, Todd. I'm glad to hear that it has worked out for you and your family, except for having to deal with that 11 year old kid that likes to drive through the parking lot!

09/17/2007 11:52 PM

by . . (no thanks)

Todd: I've been giving condos a lot more thought in the past couple of years. The one thing that deters me is the HOA fees and how they seem to increase consistently and being dictated to as far as what you can or cannot do. I certainly understand some rules are needed and welcome them but they can go too far. Your post helps me to give it more consideration and hopefully, things are changing for the better.

09/18/2007 02:37 PM

by Donna Yates, Georgia Realtor North Georgia Blue Ridge Real Estate (Mountain Investments of North Georgia)

Well, Todd, it's better than living in that... thing your friend's mother wanted to buy... ha ha...

09/18/2007 11:07 PM

by Karen Rice | Lake Wallenpaupack | Pike & Wayne County, Northeast PA Homes (WEICHERT, REALTORS® Paupack Group )

Rick- It depends on the street if I miss the stick built home. I have lived on a through street and a cul-de-sac. I miss the cul-de-sac for the kids and my sanity!

Mary - Our HOA has pretty much let anyone plant things in front of our condo realizing it actually makes it prettier! FOR FREE!

Bridget - That problem is being taken care of! Since he is a renter and not a buyer in the conversion process, they will be getting their 30 day notice any day now! The manager is tired of the things that goes on from that family. Just needed something concrete and that was it!

Donna - I've realized I have to be friends with everyone and try to keep people out of the HOA management that have nothing better to do with their life than make other peoples miserable.

Karen - So true! When I read your comment all I could think of was that seen in Naked Gun with the full body condom.

09/20/2007 11:48 AM

by Todd Clark (Realtor), GRI (Your Washington Co. Real Estate Expert) (Kastings & Associates)

I sell many condos, and town-homes. I t helps my clients get in a better neighborhood and school district.

09/20/2007 11:52 AM

by Tina Maraj Shah Fullerton Realtor (RE/MAX North Orange County)

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