Buying a condo is very different from buying a single-family home. You may not know what questions to ask or features to check out if you have never owned one. It is important to inspect both the unit of interest as well as the entire complex. Check out the parking situation. How many spaces would come with your unit? Do you need to pay a fee? Is there guest parking? Walk around the common areas (lobby, gym, hallways, elevators, decks, pool, etc.) to make sure the building is well-kept and to your liking. These are important features to consider and compare when shopping for a condo. You might want to talk to residents to see how they like the building. What do they like and dislike about the complex, location, and management? Ask to see the rules and regulations to make sure you can live and use your unit as you hoped. For instance, do they allow owners to rent out their units, and if so, for how long at a time? If the building is in a booming area, are other buildings going to be build nearby? This could affect the views, which will in turn affect the value of certain units. You also need to understand all the fees and what they include. It is important to research the unit, complex, and management when you are interested in buying a condo. It is equally important to work with an agent that is familiar with buying and selling condos so that they can help you ask the right questions and find out crucial information that will allow you to make an informed decision.

Blog inspired by article written by Carrie Alexander featured in The Austin American Statesman and can be seen here: http://www.statesman.com/business/real-estate/things-to-know-before-you-go-condo-1062022.html