New Year, New Goals: 10 Reasons why living in a condo can help you maximize life in 2018

New Year, New Goals: 10 Reasons why living in a condo can help you maximize life in 2018

By Condo Culture

We hope the holiday season has found you in good spirits! As the next few days pass, it’s inevitable that the majority of us will take a moment to reflect on decisions and actions taken in 2017. Some of you may give it light thought, while others may allocate a few hours or even an entire day writing out personal and professional goals. (Hello New Year Resolutions!)

For many, relocating tends to be a high priority and has become more prevalent over the years. But why is that? A new place means discovering a new you and it allows you the opportunity to meet new friends, experience new adventures and believe it or not, it gives you a fresh start when it comes to finances, too. If you’ve considered packing up and starting a new year with a new city view, keep your eyes on the screen! With just a few days left in 2017, we know there’s no better time to share some golden nuggets that may help answer some of those questions you’ve been pondering over. First thing first, are you looking for a single detach or a condo? (Silly question, we know!) We’re aware that some of you may be on the fence so we’ve gathered great info on why condo living is becoming high in demand and why it may be the right move for you in 2018. Let’s get into it!

  1. Living aspect, clarity and simplicity to life

Less commuting means more living. Going for a short swim, sweating it out in a steam room or running on a treadmill are just minutes away from your doorstep, literally. By living in a condo, you’re reducing travel time and membership costs that the average homeowner would need to pay for month after month. (Believe us, it adds up!) The vast majority of condos offer sweet amenities that enhance residents’ lifestyle by purely bringing simplicity to their life.

  1. More time to do what you love

This can easily be one of the biggest benefits to condo owners- no maintenance! As a result of less house maintenance such as mowing the lawn, tending to gardens, shovelling the snow, coordinating repairs, etc., you’ll be able to invest your time where it matters most; doing things you love.

  1. Walkable to the majority of your weekly routine

Condominiums are often built in urban communities with high walk scores. (If you’re wondering what Walk Score is: Walk Score measures the walkability of any address and also measures pedestrian friendliness by analyzing population density and road metrics such as block length and intersection density.) So if you live in a condo, chances are you’ll be able to walk over to a coffee shop before walking over to a grocery store after dining at one of your fave local restaurants. Condos also often have high Transit Score, which means easy access to public transportation. Bonus!

  1. Ability to lock your door and travel

If you like to pack your bags and hit some nice beaches every few months, living in a condo can be a major perk for you. Several condos provide gated/locked entries or even security professionals for residents. Locking up your door and being worry-free creates peace of mind and a strong sense of security while you’re away. Totally worth it!

  1. Less cents, more sense

As market has appreciated, it gives those looking for their first home an opportunity to get invested into the market and capitalize on its appreciation.

Condo fees are a great thing, and here’s why; Condo fees generally always include a contribution toward the building's upkeep and maintenance, but may also include heat, water, sewer, garbage collection fees and even electricity, cable TV and Wi-Fi in some cases. All of which you would have to take care independently as an average homeowner.

In an article titled “Which costs more: A single-family home or a condo”, the writer breaks apart every component and shares numbers with respect to a downtown toronto condo versus a suburban single-family home. We’ve gone ahead and shared the article in our sources for your own interest, but one part that rang true was the following; “One area that buyers tend to ignore is utility costs. When you consider square footage here, it seems obvious that electricity would cost less in the condo. More than that, though, condos are usually insulated by their adjacency to other units, thereby helping keep heating and cooling costs lower than a home with four or more walls exposed to the elements.” As we compare utility costs such as electricity, water/sewer and gas, to monthly transportation costs such as fuel, insurance, maintenance fees, to replacement items such as roof, siding and windows fees, and miscellaneous household items, it was made clear that owning a condo (including condo fees) does in fact cost less than owning a single-family home.

Whether you’re looking to downsize, looking to change your environment or you’re a tenant ready to take the next step towards home ownership, we care and we’re here to help you with your real estate needs. Give us a call or send us an email, we’d love to connect you with your dream home and would be thrilled to be a part of your journey. Let’s make 2018 a year to remember!

Speaking of which… where will you be ringing in the new year? We’ve checked out a few venues and locations so if you’ve still got nothing lined up, perhaps one of these will seal the deal!

KITCHENER-WATERLOO:

  1. NEW YEARS EVE Ball located at Polski Dom 2000 - 2711 SHANTZ STATION Rd. (near Maryhill) Kitchener-Waterloo, ON. ($90/person) To order tickets: http://bit.ly/2yZy5Wh

  2. 2018 NEW YEARS EVE Celebration hosted by the City of Kitchener featuring an Action Figure, Comic, and Collectors con located at Kitchener City Hall - 200 King Street West. Admission is free. To order tickets: http://bit.ly/2CFxBHk

  3. NEW YEARS EVE Dinner & Live Music by The Loose Grape located at 656 King Street East, Cambridge, ON. A 7 course Chef's tasting menu with live music! ($100/person) To order tickets: http://bit.ly/2yZcTzR

HAMILTON:

  1. HELLENIC BANQUET CENTER located at 22 Head Street, Hamilton, ON New Year's Eve Gala. Dinner and dancing. Greek-themed evening with Greek-influenced menu by Award-Winning Master Gourmet Chef, Jaime Miller. ($60/person) To order tickets: http://bit.ly/2kmfqj4

  2. NEW YEARS EVE at Carmen’s located at 1520 Stone Church Rd E, Hamilton, ON. Includes Dinner, Dance, Bar, Champagne Toast, Late Night Buffet and Live Music! ($125/person) To order tickets: http://bit.ly/2BzbiDL

  3. NEW YEARS EVE Bash with Sydney Blu and Danny D located at Club 77 on 77 King William Street, Hamilton, ON. ($20/$25/person) To order tickets: http://bit.ly/2iUlqOC

No matter where you choose to ring in the new year, make it a great one and party safely. Please keep in mind- you booze, you cruise, you lose. Friends don’t let friends drive drunk, so if you’re drinking, please make it a priority to arrange a cab, an uber or choose a designated driver. This decision can save your life and the life of others. Happy 2018, friends! See you next year!! Cheers!


Sources: https://savingcities.wordpress.com/2013/12/19/which-costs-more-a-single-family-home-or-a-condo/ https://www.walkscore.com/methodology.shtml https://blog.upack.com/posts/10-reasons-why-moving-is-good-for-you https://www.moneycrashers.com/pros-cons-buying-condo/ https://www.todocanada.ca/new-years-eve-hamilton/ https://www.todocanada.ca/new-years-eve-kitchener-waterloo-region/


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