Teasing Out the Musts and Wants

When you start to look for a condo in the DC area, there will be a huge range of possibilities covering everything from price to size to style to location.  How can you narrow it all down?

Price is always a great starting point.  It will, more than any other factor, help to narrow down your selection.   When we feed in your criteria, this will be the first entry.

Size does matter, and so does the number of rooms.  But it's often an area where people become willing to compromise.  And it's not always just about the number of square feet in the unit.  A lot depends on how well the space is laid out. 

Style can vary from building to building and even from one unit to the next in the same complex.  Do you like clean lines or are you into antiques?  Do you want a hi-rise, or is a unit in a bayfront Victorian row house more your thing?  Do you have (or want) a dog or cat, because restrictive  condo rules for furry family members may rule choices that would otherwise be perfect - and there are many condos that do allow pets (at least smallish ones).

Location is probably the most important piece of your home search puzzle, and keep in mind that convenience and a very high walk score may involve some trade offs.  Like you almost never find peace and quiet in a neighborhood where you can live car free. 

If you are like most buyers, your criteria will change as you go through your search.  There might be features you though you had to have that will fall by the wayside when you see what's out there in your price range.  You might find yourself willing to consider more affordable neighborhoods to get more space. 

Throughout the process, it's really important to communicate any changes with your Realtor® to make your search more organized and fruitful.

If you would like any help finding great condos for sale in the DC Metropolitan area, please email me at housepat@mac.com, or, better yet, call or text me at (202) 549-5167

 

 

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