Best Tips When Buying and Designing Your First Condo

So, you’re in the market for a condo. Whether you plan on upsizing from a starter home or downsizing from a larger house, buying a condo is a big decision. There are many things to consider when purchasing a condo, from the location to the amenities to the price. Then there’s the need to design and furnish the condo to suit your taste and lifestyle better. How do you even begin to tackle such a big project?

This post will give you a better idea of how to get started, along with some tips to make your condo-buying and designing experience as smooth as possible.

Research the Market and Get Pre-approved for Financing.

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Before you start shopping for a condo, you must do your research and get pre-approved for financing. This will give you a better idea of how much you can afford to spend on a condo and help you narrow your search.

Prepare your financial documents and contact a mortgage lender to get pre-approved for a loan. This will give you a clear idea of how much you can afford to spend on your condo.

It’s also essential to research the real estate market in the area where you’re looking to purchase a condo. Look at trends in prices, sales, and listings to get a better understanding of the market. This information will help you negotiate when the time comes to make an offer on a condo.

Start Searching for Condos and Narrow Down Your Options.

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Now that you have a budget and know what you’re looking for, it’s time to start searching for condos. You can drive around the neighborhood online, contact a real estate agent in the area, and ask for recommendations. If you’re unsure where to start your condo search, try looking in downtown or uptown areas with a higher concentration of condo buildings.

Let’s say you want to buy a condo near busy business districts in Manila. Try looking for a Taguig condo for sale, the city adjacent to Manila. Taguig is known for its condo developments, so you’ll surely find plenty of options in your price range. There are condominiums that offer a suburban feel despite their location and even tap into Bonifacio Global City’s endless opportunities for leisure, employment, and investment. Find condos whose reputable developers are known for their condo projects’ quality and delivery. 

As you look at different condo buildings, take note of the amenities each one offers, the monthly dues, the location, and the size of the unit. You should also consider whether you want to buy a pre-owned condo or a new condo development. Once you’ve narrowed down your options, you can start visiting condo buildings and units to better understand what’s out there.

Don’t forget to ask about their rules and regulations. You don’t want to buy a condo from a seller with so many restrictions that you can no longer decorate and design it the way you want.

Make an Offer and Negotiate the Purchase Price.

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After finding the perfect condo, it’s time to make an offer. Having a real estate agent will make it easier for you to come up with a reasonable offer based on the current market value of the condo and similar units in the building. The condo seller will have a chance to accept, reject, or counter your offer after you send your offer.

If the condo seller counters your offer, you can negotiate back and forth until you reach an agreement. Remember that the condo seller isn’t the only one who has negotiating power in this situation. As the buyer, you also have a say in the final purchase price. Be sure to consider all of your costs when negotiating so that you don’t spend more than you can afford on your new condo.

Get a Home Inspection and Condo Association Approval

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After agreeing with the purchase price, get a home inspection. This will ensure the condo is in good condition and there are no major problems you or the seller needs to address. Once the condo passes the home inspection, you’ll need to get approval from the condo association before you can move in.

The condo association will likely have a set of requirements you’ll need to meet, such as passing a background check and paying the condo association dues. Be sure to ask the condo association about their approval process so that you can plan accordingly. You can start moving into your new home are the condo association approves your application, pays the remaining fees, and manages to sign all the necessary paperwork.

Design Your New Home

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Now that you finally moved into your condo, it’s time to start making it your own. If you bought a pre-owned condo, you might need to renovate it to make it look the way you want. You can also start decorating and adding personal touches to your new home.

Add some furniture, paintings, or other decorations to make your condo feel like home. Keep in mind any restrictions on what you can do to your unit. Consider the rule of thumb “no nails, no screws, no holes” when hanging things on your walls. If you’re not sure about something, be sure to ask the condo association before making any changes to your unit.

Invest in functional and storage-saving pieces. Look for items that can serve more than one purpose or one that you can easily store away when not in use. Maximize every corner and space in your unit to make it more livable and comfortable.

Create cohesive spaces by choosing a color scheme or theme and carrying it throughout the different rooms in your condo. You can also use this opportunity to declutter and eliminate things you don’t need. Remember that you now have limited space, so it’s important to be strategic about what you keep and get rid of.

If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of condo design ideas online or in magazines. You can also hire an interior designer to help you design your perfect home. With a little effort, you can transform your condo into a space you’re proud to call home.

Buying a condo and making it into your home is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these three simple steps, you’ll be well on finding and designing your dream home sweet home!