Guide to Condo Living

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A condominium could be a great place to live in. But unlike your primary home, where you get to know majority if not all your neighbors, you may not know your neighbors in a condominium probably because they have various schedules of people coming and going or maybe because they want more privacy while on vacation. Your condo neighbors like those in your primary home are also important in the sense that all of you belong to a community which shares expenses and sets guidelines. Participation in community activities is crucial to a harmonious co existence in a condo - which means that even in your absence, it is your responsibility to find out what transpired or if there were decisions made.In some states, there are condominium corporations who have created an ombudsman office whose primary objective is to resolve conflicts most common in condominiums without the need to pursue a litigation process.

Condo dwellers usually have one universal gripe: the lack of space. With space at a premium for condominiums and apartments, rooms and living areas are beginning to look more and more like a doll’s house. Even for those condos that tout 2 or 3 bedroom units, these rooms usually only have enough space for a bed and a closet. Unless you can afford to shell out more money for a more premium (and considerably more expensive unit), the condo owner has to learn to work around the limited space he has.

In choosing furniture, for example, it’s usually wiser to choose a scaled-down or smaller version. Instead of choosing a full-length sofa, for example, a loveseat that can seat two people will do. Even more practical would be a sleeper sofa or a sofa bed for the occasional guest. It’s also best to choose furniture that can do double-duty, such as an ottoman that can serve as a coffee table or additional seating.

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So you finally bought that condo you’ve been dreaming about for years. But the problem is, your neighbors make so much noise. Upstairs, downstairs and across the wall, they’re yelling, stomping, turning up their music to hear it over the barking dog. Or maybe it’s you that likes to make noise, practicing the sax at 2 a.m. or watching late night movies with extra base on the surround sound. What are you going to do so that the neighbors and you can both enjoy some sanity? Insulate!

There are actually some very viable sound-proofing options, and if the people who built your condo were smarter, they would have used them from the get-go. But it appears they didn’t, so it’s all up to you.

Once you’ve gotten permission, go out and buy some mass-loaded vinyl, Quiet Rock or acoustic foam. These are the soundproofing materials of choice for most homeowners.

Mass-loaded vinyl is just that, vinyl siding that is extra dense, making it a superior sound proofed. Quiet Rock is a gypsum product that incorporates a layer of elastic polymer that actually turns sound vibrations into heat that is easily dispersed into the gypsum. Acoustic foam usually textured to resemble an egg carton, and is the most visible, yet least permanent method of soundproofing. All of these can be installed against any wall, including ceilings.

Parking Space: For every Condo Unit purchase make sure that you have a parking space that is assigned to you, even better if you chose a parking space which near the elevator or door and or close to your unit.

Pets: Think twice, because some Condos don’t allow pets, much more the exotic ones. Ask the Building Management for pets which are allowed in the building complex.

Condominiums is a breeze to live in in terms of maintenance but any problems associated with facilities should be voiced out as soon as possible. The homeowners or rather condo-owners association is responsible for most dealings of such matters. They are owners like you that are elected to serve as the overseeing body with regards to the upkeep and maintenance of grounds and facilities. Your condo building can also be run by the developer if they opt to maintain the property to certain high standards and also goes for retal units that are leased for a specified time period. You should familiarize yourself with such groups for you are a part of the concerned whether you like it or not. It takes cooperation for the system to work properly and the best way to do that is to get involved. There is a certain type of politics that is involved with living in condo’s but the management should be impartial to all owners to allow the best medly of comfort, privacy and maintenance. Get heard and voice out your concerns for there is no point in complaining if these people do not know what’s bothering you.

Using less and enjoying more is the trend of the future for the huge pressure we place upon mother nature has at last been realized and recognized. The trend is to get the most atractive space using the most environmentally firendly materials possible. Energy saving consumer eleteronics and the occasional solar panel to provige lighting and other power needs. Lifestyle changes such as changing shower and faucet heads with water savers that aerates the water using less is best and recommended. LCD screen television sets rather than plasma displays are in, and with sony announcing huge leaps and boungs in OLED design, it would only be time before you get a tv that is thinner than the average credit card built into the wall.

There is insurance you have to pay the association for protection of the common ownership areas in a condo that should cover all needed repairs. The insurance does not cover areas such as the contents of your unit and the furnishings/appliances installed within for they are your responsibility. All personal property within the home is your responsibility and all those outside such as the pool, pathways and parking structures all fall under the associations policy of cover. Anything that breaks or malfunctions should be addressed by the association to maintain the habitability and even the safety of support structures and facilities. Be sure to clarify them with your insurance as well as the provider who is handling the cover of the grounds. This would allow you to determine whether you’d have to file a personal claim or ask the association to do such for the good of all. Avoid general policies and have the insurance evaluate your needs for a policy that covers you from top to bottom.

Most condominium units have a common free to use area where all owners can get to do the things they used to do when they owned single housing units. Barbecues and other outdoor activities can be conducted safely without interfering with the rest of the tenants/owners. They can be quite booked but all owners should have equal opportunities when it comes to usage which is usually done with advanced bookings through the association or management. There are rules as to how long one has full access to these areas which can be asides other recreational facilities such as the pool and playgrounds. Barbecues are often disouraged or disallowed in condo units themselves for the smoke and fire hazards they pose. But in these designated areas, one can do so withoiut much worry. You can even use the facility for family gatherings but you would have to arrange for exclusive access to the space so you don’t get into problems with your neighbors.

There is nothing stopping you from holding them in condo units as long as they are not too noisy or too intrusive of the other tenants. There are a lot of incidents of such problems for noise is one of the most disruptive things that can wake even the deepest sleeper. Review your building guidelines regarding these matters and some buildings require a notification of other tenants of such events so they do not get alarmed by the presence of other people. Occupants get so attached, they almost get to know each and every unit owner by look so any unknown or questionable people are reported to security. Also, inform your guests of any parking issues for you wouldn’t want to have your party interrupted by security buzzing you telling you one of your guests has parked in another tenant’s space. Ask management regarding options so you could inform your guests beforehand and so you can avoid problems yourself.

Dues in their many forms in shapes in a condo ownership may seem steep but considering the amount you’d have to pay for tearing down the old chimneys may sound reasonable. Besides, the convenience and additional amenities you may get when you purchased the unit does need upkeep and so does the grounds in and around the condo facility. The tennis courts, swimming pools, landscaping and other up-keep needs are shared among all unit owners and other issues such as complaints are also handled in the same manner. Meetings of unit owners and information leaflets keep residents informed of the goes in the building as well as reports regarding safety and coordination with law enforcement. In meetings, be sure to question all your doubts for there is a need to do so. Some condos let facilities such as function rooms out for rent to friends and affiliates of owners and the money they get from these rentals also get into the up-keep of the building. There is also a security issue with it being a necessity for most areas. Don’t be scared of dues for they are for your benefit as well as for the whole condo community.