Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We are buying our 2nd home (CLOSING ON FRIDAY!!!! ), and am curious what are some major differences between owning a house, and owning a condo (Our 1st home is a condo). Other then the obvious yard care, responsibility of the roof and siding, no HOA!!!!, and separate billing for garbage pick up. I’m a little nervous about just those responsibilities in general, but want to know what I’m getting into.
Well, many single family houses also are part of HOA's, but I assume that your's is not. Otherwise, the big differences are as you mentioned, additional yard and home maintenance that used to be the responsibility of the condo association. And of course, not having to share walls with someone else.
I've owned both - condo and single family. I don't know that I can say one is better than the other, but they are different.
Like RJRCM, I'll assume your single family house is not in an HOA.
You will need to become proactive. There will be no HOA manager to determine that the roof needs to be checked, the fireplace needs work, or the furnace will need to be cleaned ... you are on your own. You will need to hire your own service people or do the work yourself.
You may want to study up on how a house works. Try to learn the basics. What to do if the electric goes out, the plumbing backs up, etc. Do you know of a good plumber, HVAC (furnace / A/C) and handyman? If not, get them lined up for future reference.
I've owned both - condo and single family. I don't know that I can say one is better than the other, but they are different.
Like RJRCM, I'll assume your single family house is not in an HOA.
You will need to become proactive. There will be no HOA manager to determine that the roof needs to be checked, the fireplace needs work, or the furnace will need to be cleaned ... you are on your own. You will need to hire your own service people or do the work yourself.
You may want to study up on how a house works. Try to learn the basics. What to do if the electric goes out, the plumbing backs up, etc. Do you know of a good plumber, HVAC (furnace / A/C) and handyman? If not, get them lined up for future reference.
Enjoy your home.
In a condo, if it's inside, it's your responsibility, unless the problem is caused by something on the outside, such as a leaky roof. fireplace, plumbing, furnace, etc...are maintained by homeowner.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,573 posts, read 81,167,557 times
Reputation: 57798
If you made a good choice and had a reliable company do the inspection, you shouldn't have major repair bills for outside problems such as the roof, painting, dry rot or carpenter ant damage. What you should do is put aside what you were paying for HOA before into a special savings account for when those things are needed. A roof, for example is $8,000+. if you enjoy gardening
you will be happy with the house and yard, it does take time. Lawns have to be mowed once a week until about July when they tend to go mostly brown until late September, then you mow again weekly for a month or two before they go dormant for winter.
Old post...but still chiming in. My friends ( gals) who live in condos constantly b-yotch about condo fees. Go figure.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
), and am curious what are some major differences between owning a house, and owning a condo (Our 1st home is a condo). Other then the obvious yard care, responsibility of the roof and siding, no HOA!!!!, and separate billing for garbage pick up. I’m a little nervous about just those responsibilities in general, but want to know what I’m getting into. 
