Condo Living 101

It’s not just how the condo unit looks, but everything else must definitely work for you too. A lot of buyers and renters get tempted by how nice a condo unit looks since majority of the units being sold and rented out are now fully furnished. However, more than just the interior of a unit, there are also more factors to be considered.

Security – Is the area/location of the condominium safe? Is it okay to walk around at night without feeling like you’ll get mugged in the street? Do you have 24 hours security service in the building? Does the place have CCTV and security codes to get in and out of the building? You want to be sure that you and your family feel safe at all times.

Amenities – Are you getting what you are paying for? Do you have communal areas that are catering to your needs? For example, most condominiums offer swimming pool, gym, play area for kids etc.

Association – Do you get along well with the people from the association? Do you feel comfortable dealing with them? Do they make you feel comfortable and welcome you well?

If you are lucky enough to have been to Morocco, then you would have possibly been taken by the beautiful interior of the homes, hotels and restaurants around. There is a certain rich and sensual appeal to Moroccan decors. If you want the same in your own home, it is possible. Do not worry, it is easy. Here are the instructions on how to transform a regular unit to a Moroccan inspired room!

1. Paint the walls in Jewel tones. This will make a big contrast to the rich colors that will fill your room.

2. Shop for colorful saris. This is easily done either online or thrifts stores of the closest India town in your area.

3. Make use of these saris as curtains, pillow covers or seat covers. Don’t be afraid to go crazy on colors. Moroccan rooms are all about that! Use a lot of pillows! They love big stuffy pillows. It can also be used as a seat.

4. Morocco is a warm country, therefore, try to give off a vibe of warmth by playing with your lights. Make use of  low wattage sconces and lanterns rather than harsh overhead lighting.

5. To finish, add a beautiful chandelier in the middle of the room.

There are perks that come along with living in a condominium. While it is true that you will have less privacy sharing the building with other people, having the neighbors closer would make you feel more safe. Condominiums also have a 24 hour security (system or guard) which is always helpful. Some high-end condominiums also get to have extra amenities that a regular house might not have such as swimming pool, gym or tennis court, concierge, valet etc.

Homeowner’s Association dues are funds that are collected to be able to obtain the money needed to pay for master insurance and maintenance of common areas in the condominium. It is paid monthly. The charges vary from each association and depending on the needs to be taken care of.  These includes payment for cleaning of common areas, landscaping, security, water sewer, garbage disposal etc. The cost can be from $30- 500. Certainly a small price to pay for the hassle you wouldn’t be having while living in a condominium.

Most condos in the city can be small. These spaces are normally designed for single working people in the city. Now if you happen to be living in a small space, designing it can be a bit daunting. You probably do not know where to begin. In this article, you will learn some useful tips on how to make your space livable. For starters, to make the room seem big, always use small pieces. Instead of getting a four seater couch, opt for two. Keep the space clean at all times and any clutter should be rid off. Tall pieces are ideal, like shelves that are vertical more than horizontal. Use strong and bright colors to divide spaces, like a rug that would occupy the living room. Invest on a multipurpose furniture like a sofa-bed or a bed that can also be used as a storage. and the best and final tip is a large mirror that you can hang on the wall. Mirrors always give the illusion of more space.

There are several documents involved in condominium ownership that you may want to review before purchase. These papers should be available from the condo’s board of directors or their representative. They include: Master deed, Bylaws, House rules, Covenants, conditions and restrictions: Private restrictions on the use of project property; usually created by the developer

Condo owners/ renters tend to have the same problem. Not enough space. Condominiums aren’t really made so big because the rooms in the building are divided to accommodate a lot of tenants. So making a small space comfortable is the main challenge. If you’re lucky, you will land a unit that has already been furnished for you. If not, you would have to know how to design and maximize your own space. Choosing the right furniture is the trick. Stay away from large and bulky sofas that will take over the entire room. Instead of putting cabinets, install shelved on the wall to store your things. This way, you get more floor space. If you decide to add an entertainment system, also consider having your TV attached to the wall. Use light colors on the walls to help bounce light around the room to create an airy aesthetic. Keep the place tidy at all times too.

Many people are considering buying a condominium. This comes as no surprise since high rise buildings are practically everywhere and condo is relatively cheaper than buying a house. People in the city prefer condo living since it is the current “trend” and it is less the hassle of yard maintenance and the financial responsibilities that owning a single home owners usually face. But before you sign that contract with the condominium purchase, you should also probably know the possible hassles and disadvantages of owning a condo. First, You share common walls. This means, less privacy for everyone. You are merely steps away from your neighbors. There are people living above you, beside you and below you. If you are lucky, your neighbors are considerate. If not, they will annoy you many times. You will also have to pay association dues monthly. If you are living in a fancier condo, it means more assoc dues to pay.

If you want to achieve a simple look in your condo design, then maybe you can do with a Japanese interior. Japanese interior calls for earthly colors such as beige and brown. They seldom (or never at all) use colors that attract attention (like candy apple red, apple green, powder blue or any pastel color for that fact) compared to other designs. They would like to retain simplicity in their interior and as you design your home, make sure you have symmetry when it comes to your things (buy two display earthen pots instead of two). Never ever forget their famous short table for your dining room! I’m sure your friends will love the new look!

Photo taken from http://pro.corbis.com

Across the US and the world, developers are halting development projects due to rising costs and other factors that have to do with the worsening global economy. Existing condos are getting quite overcrowded as people move out of single unit homes opting to get near their workplace to save on transportation costs and other expenditures for which they have less cash to spend on. Maintenance of existing condos are also being streamlined and tenants are left to suffer and deal with the consequences. Abandoned units and other issues are beginning to show, straining funds and people who all but pray for an end to this recession, soon. With unemployment soaring, people are leaving their homes into rentals that saves some cash, enough to get by and survive, till we all see the end to this recession, hopefully sooner that predicted.

Statistics are showing that people in condos and even single unit homes are having to do with room sharing in a recession due to more pressing needs of financial stores. This has been the result of surveys which shows children are not getting their own rooms to save on cost and on other needed provisions till the economy recovers and people get more cash for much needed renovations and home improvement projects.
Life is indeed getting harder for all for near city center’s a higher cost of living is to be expected due to price hikes and high unemployment levels. The recession may be leveling out but recovery is going to take longer than expected over predictions that this would be a short-lived economic condition, which could not get any worse for it is more than that in reality.