For those that have been here before welcome back. We are your hosts, BJ 'n Cindy. We own and operate this site as well as the sister sites. by Hannah Simpson
As a recent veteran, you may be in the process of acclimating to civilian life, and with that comes finding the right type of housing for you and your family.
There are four main types of homes on the market, namely condos, apartments, townhouses, and houses. While it's normal to focus on the price tag, other factors such as accessibility, amenities, design, ownership type and more should also be taken into consideration.
Here, we examines in-depth the pros and cons of each housing type to help you decide which best suits your needs.
Condominiums
Commonly known as condos, these are single-unit spaces in a high-rise building. Typically a condo can range between 400 and 800 square feet and have low maintenance costs. According to Condo Control, condos are commonly governed by associations that bear the cost of repairs.
Condos also provide access to shared amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, gardens, etc. which are maintained by the association. Moreover, they are commonly located in prominent
urban areas allowing you convenient access to local grocery stores, malls, theatres, and shopping districts.
Condos are often sold by individual landlords and through negotiation you can include utility costs in your rent, bringing down your monthly expenses.
Apartments
While apartments share numerous similarities with condos, they have some distinct features. The size of an apartment can vary tremendously based on the number of bedrooms and your budget. And some apartments will include utilities while others don’t. Additionally, you could have access to similar public amenities as a condo.
Apartments are commonly sold or rented via a property management company. A company makes the process of ownership simple as they have an online portal to sign leases, pay rent, and schedule maintenance requests. However, companies are known to offer long-term leases (one year and more) compared to landlords who can be flexible.
It’s worth noting that while condos and apartments must adhere to certain ADA guidelines, not all of them will meet certain accessibility needs. If you’re a veteran with an injury that limits your mobility, a one-story home might be better.
Townhouses
For those looking for a large living space with low maintenance costs, a townhouse is an ideal choice. Commonly townhouses have multiple floors, a garden, or a patio. A bigger living area allows you to have personal spaces and privacy, something which condos lack. Additionally, the outdoor space can be perfect for pets if you have them.
Townhouses allow you greater autonomy to customize compared, however, you need to abide by the Homeowners Association (HOA) rules and also pay a monthly or quarterly fee.
When viewing townhouses, inquire about their age and inspect their condition. Look for leakages, wall or floor damage, quality of HVAC systems, and outdoor spaces. As a general rule, the older the property is, the higher the maintenance fees. Additionally, you will be sharing exterior walls, roofs, and some amenities with your neighbors and may have to share repair costs.
Houses
Out of all the options, houses are the costliest but provide the most space, privacy, and freedom to customize. The size of your home will vary depending on its design which can include multiple floors, an attic, and a garage. Moreover, remember to calculate the proximity to grocery stores, hospitals, and other essential services.
Additionally, when researching homes, focus on two factors: total square feet and total living square feet. The former depicts the total size of the home, while the latter as the name suggests specifies the total area you can live in such as bedrooms, living rooms, kitchen, etc. If you plan to remodel your home, ensure to strike a balance between the two.
Price of course is a factor, so practice due diligence when considering what you can afford versus home prices in the neighborhood where you want to live. For example, in Oak Harbor, the most recent data shows the median home price here as $452,500. That’s a lot of money! If there’s even a hint that you will have trouble with a mortgage payment, it’s wise to look at other neighborhoods or reduce your “must-haves” when house hunting.
Now that you have a clear idea about the various types of houses and amenities they provide, you can start visiting properties and plan toward moving into your new place. This is one of the most crucial steps for recent veterans, and we hope you find the perfect space to call home.
CONTRIBUTED by Hannah Simpson