Pros and Cons of Going Condo

Living room
living room
Condominiums and townhouses offer an affordable option to single-family homes in many markets, and they’re ideal for those who appreciate a maintenance-free lifestyle. But before you buy, make sure you do your legwork. These are some of the important elements to consider:

Storage

Some condos have storage lockers, but usually there are no attics or basements to hold extra belongings.

Outdoor space

Yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos, so if you like to garden or entertain outdoors, this may not be a good fit. However, if you dread yard work, this may be the perfect option for you.

Amenities

Wooster Mercer Lofts
Wooster Mercer Lofts
Many condo properties have swimming pools, fitness centers, and other facilities that would be very expensive in a single-family home.

Maintenance

Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to care for common areas, do repairs in your unit, and let in workers when you’re not home — good news if you like to travel.

Security

Keyed entries and even doormen are common in many condos. You’re also closer to other people in case of an emergency.

Reserve funds and association fees

Although fees generally help pay for amenities and provide savings for future repairs, you will have to pay the fees decided by the condo board, whether or not you’re interested in the amenity.

Resale

Condos in Carlyle Towers
Carlyle Towers in Alexandria
The ease of selling your unit may be dependent on what else is for sale in your building, since units are usually fairly similar. Condo rules Although you have a vote, the rules of the condo association can affect your ability to use your property. For example, some condos prohibit home-based businesses. Others prohibit pets, or don’t allow owners to rent out their units. Read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws of the condo carefully before you make an offer.

Neighbors

You’re much closer to your neighbors in a condo or town home. If possible, try to meet your closest prospective neighbors.
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These neighborhoods have that special mixture of luxurious homes with a desirable location. Many of these neighborhoods are served by the area's best public schools.

  • Arcturus -- Along the Potomac River near George Washington Parkway

  • Arlington Ridge -- Overlooking the capital's river valley

  • Belle Haven -- An established neighborhood of distinctive homes

  • Chesterbrook -- Elegant homes on quiet streets in Mclean

  • Clifton -- A place to find your micro-mansion

  • Great Falls --- Impressive residences with large lots

  • Langley -- Great schools, quiet neigbhoods

  • Rivercrest -- Stately homes on the Arlingwood bluff

  • Seminary Hill -- Impressive homes on large lots close to town

  • Yacht Haven -- Boater's paradise on the Potomac

Here are some Ghost Tours tour guides

There is a certain charm to a historic neighborhood that you cannot find elsewhere. Many of these neighborhoods date to the colonial era.

Julie Nesbitt checks out at Lotte

It's fun to live close to shops and restaurants.

  • Aurora Hieghts --- Near the Pentagon at the center of the region

  • Ballston --- Ballston Common Mall is at the center of this community

  • Clarendon --- Market Common Clarendon has many shops and restaurants

  • Fair Lakes -- Home of the Fair Oaks Mall and many nearby restaurants

  • Old Town --Well-known for boutiques, shops and restaurants

  • Pentagon City -- The Fashion Center at Pentagon City is a multi-level indoor mall surrounded by shops and restaurtants

  • Springfield -- Springfield Mall is being renovated and replaced by a brand new shopping center

  • Reston -- Reston Town Center is one of many shopping attractions here.

  • Tysons Corner -- Home to Tysons Corner Mall and the upscale Tysons II Galleria

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Will Nesbitt

View posts by Will Nesbitt
Will is the principal broker of Nesbitt Realty and Condo Alexandria. He is licensed in anywhere in the Commonwealth of Virginia, but focuses on those communities found in and around Alexandria, Arlington, Mount Vernon and Springfield/Franconia. Will has been involved in real estate management, sales and investment for more than twenty years. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army. While in the army, he studied Russian at Monterey's Defense Language Institute. He is also a "veteran of the dotcom wars" and built most of the sites associated with NesbittRealty.com Will currently resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Old Town, overlooking New Alexandria. He is a former president of the Mount Vernon Youth Athletic Association and founded the Alexandria Fun with Friends Group. Will is the author of BattlestorM, a tabletop fantasy game, which was published by Ral Partha Publishing in the late '90's, and Arthur's Realm, a boardgame available at the Gamecrafter.