Searching "condos for sale in Brampton,
Ontario, Canada”? Going through dozens of listings? How do you find the perfect
one for you? Before buying a condo, make
sure you do your homework. Know what questions to ask. Here are some tips to
get you headed in the right direction.
Where
to Start
Condo living can be exciting, affordable
and convenient. Condominium buildings are often located closer to the action:
near nightlife, restaurants and transit. They are an affordable, accessible way
to get into the housing market. Condos make it easy to lock the door and travel,
for both business and pleasure.
Before starting the process have a
good, hard look at your finances. Speak to your financial advisor or bank
manager to determine how much you can afford. Consider how much room you need;
one bedroom or two? Then, decide on which
location best suits your needs. Once you have determined your goals, it’s time
to find the right real estate agent who can help you achieve them.
What
Makes a Great REALTOR®?
Respectful, responsive and honest
relationships are integral to working with a REALTOR®.
A good REALTOR® should come with the
right accreditations, repeat business and excellent referrals. They should be
knowledgeable about the market, negotiating and the location where you want to
buy. An experienced boutique firm, based out of Brampton is the JN Asensio Realty Brokerage.
They’ve received excellent reviews for their personal, client-based approach.
They also have lots valuable information on their website, including articles
such as "Budgeting
Towards Homeownership.” Be sure to meet with a variety of
potential REALTORS®, to make sure you
find one that you feel confident and comfortable with.
What
to Look for in a Condo
Before falling in love with a
particular unit, there are many points to consider.
- Find out the unit’s proximity to the
elevator or garbage chute. Is the unit right above the garage door?
- What amenities does it have? A gym?
Party room? Concierge? Think about what you will use vs. what you’re going to
pay for.
- Get a feeling for noise in the
building. How thick or thin are the walls?
- Does the unit come with a parking space
or storage locker? Both add resale value. What about visitor parking?
- Consider the sun exposure. Southern
exposure can be lovely in winter but scorching hot in the summer.
- What is the view of? The wall of the apartment building next door?
Or a tree-lined park?
- What are the condo fees and what do
they include?
A good real estate agent will walk
their clients through these questions. They will also be able to explain the
some of the more complicated concerns surrounding condo living.
Status
Certificate
According to the Real Estate Council of Ontario,
a condo building’s status
certificate includes critical information about
each condo corporation. It will include rules, bi-laws, financial records,
rental status and more. It’s important to have a good look at the balance of
reserve funds, which cover inevitable future repairs.
While
there are many lovely condos for sale in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, it’s
important to enter into any purchasing agreement fully informed. Having a
knowledgeable REALTOR® to ask the hard questions is an important
asset: making home ownership a positive, happy experience.