Should You Buy a House or a Condo?

Here are some differences between homes and condos in the D.C. area.

Typically, when we think about buying a house or a condo, it’s a pretty straightforward decision: Condos are smaller and cheaper, while houses are bigger but more expensive. However, the situation is a little different in D.C. Condos can be the same size, the same price, and even have outdoor space. While they can look the same, there may be a lot of important differences. 

Condos are typically newer, have more space, and work better as a secondary residence or if you’re traveling a lot. 

Houses have complete autonomy. Outside of building codes and regulations, you can do whatever you want to your house. In a condo, you need to get permission and go through a whole process to make any changes.

"Some condos might not be easier than a home to maintain."

A lot of people who are looking for a condo want something easier. They don’t want the hassle of maintaining a home. In our area, we have rural homes that have been converted into condos, which means they might have two to four units. Because of this, it might not be easier to maintain as most smaller condo buildings are self-managed. 

In a four-unit building, the board might only have two members. In a two-unit building, it’d just be you and the other owner. A lot of buyers think that someone else will handle all of the issues for a condo, but if you’re in one of these smaller units, that just is not the case. It might be more complicated because you’ll have to deal with your neighbor for issues like a leaky roof.

I hope this gave you something to think about when choosing the type of home you want for you and your family. If you have any questions about this or other real estate topics, feel free to call or email me. I’d love to help.