Ownership
When you purchase a San Diego real estate condo, you own the space within your condo’s walls.  The actual walls are co-owned with your neighbor, as well as the common areas like the hallways; building exterior; yard and amenities such as the pool, gym, and walking trails.

Condo Association Fees
Each condo has Association fees that are in addition to the mortgage.  These fees are used for maintenance and repairs of the common areas.  The Association fees also pay for the landscaping and, usually, trash removal.

Condo Association Rules
Associations also have rules.  They have regulations about what you can do with your property, including what kind of pets, if any, are allowed.  Most Associations don’t allow making changes to the exterior of the property.  You can paint the walls inside your condominium, but can’t paint the outside.

Neighbors
So you’ve found the condominium that works for you.  The next thing to consider is what kind of neighbors you’ll have.  Disruptive and noisy neighbors can ruin even the perfect condominium.  A good thing to do is stop by the condo at different times on different days, so you can get an accurate impression of what living there is really like.  Think about looking at the Association’s board meeting minutes.  They’ll list what complaints the other owners have, and by looking at those you can get the big picture of life there.

Don’t let Association fees and close neighbors scare you away from condominium life.  While purchasing a San Diego real estate condo is not simpler than buying a single-family home, living in one may be.

Thinking of buying a condo?  I can help.  Call me now at 760-809-1788 or email me at CoastCondo@earthlink.net.

Coastcondo@earthlink.net

•    Condo Association – Every San Diego real estate condo has some sort of governing body like the Home Owner’s Association or Community Association. How good is yours? Does your condo association listen to the needs of the owners? Do they keep the building in good repair? If your association is one of the best, brag about it!

•    Cost of utilities – How much do your utilities cost? This could be a strong selling point in your favor. If the overall cost of your utilities is low, make sure you tell your real estate agent. They’ll know the best time to mention this information.

•    Surrounding neighborhood – Nobody wants to move into a bad neighborhood. What can you say about yours that is positive? Are there sidewalks?  (Sidewalks are becoming more and more important to buyers.) Are there nearby parks? Do you live in a low crime area? These are all good selling points, and should not be left out!

•    Schools – Although most families aren’t looking for condos, there’s always the chance that a family will look at yours. They’ll also be looking at the quality of the neighboring schools. How do your schools rank? Are they strong on education? Again, make sure you tell your real estate agent!

Selling a San Diego real estate condo isn’t necessarily as hard as it may sound, even with the current real estate market. However, with the amount of competition out there, every little bit helps. Pay attention to all the good things you enjoy about your home and make sure potential buyers know about them!

If you’re thinking of selling your condo, I can help. Call me at 760-809-1788 or email me at CoastCondo@earthlink.net for more information.