Resources
The Elements of Location
When you are in the market for a home, how should you evaluate the properties that appeal to you? There is an old cliché about the three most important factors of a piece of property--location, location and location.

Some neighborhoods have a certain distinction that attracts buyers, but there are other factors to take into account. A house in the best part of town may have a few points subtracted if it is located on a busy street. There are buyers who would like to be close to schools, shopping, and churches, but don''t want to live across the street from these facilities. You may want an easy commute to your job, but would not consider a location close to the "on" ramp for the major route into town. A location close to a airport could be convenient if you are a commercial pilot, but could make it difficult to sell even the most wonderful house.

As you balance all of the factors, remember that a location liability which gets you a great house at a reasonable price, will probably require you to pass a similar savings on to future buyers.

---city_resource_html---

What is a Condominium or Condo?

Condominiums, or condos, are essentially apartments that are individually owned.

A condominium is a form of home ownership in which individual units of a larger complex are sold, not rented. These units may be renovated apartments, townhouses or even commercial warehouses. Contrary to popular belief, the word 'condominium' does not apply to the type of unit itself, but the legal ownership arrangement. Any multi-unit structure can 'go condominium', meaning occupants must either vacate the premises or purchase their apartments outright.
Those who purchase units in a condominium technically own everything from their walls inward. All of the individual homeowners have shared rights to most common areas, such as the elevators, hallways, pools and club houses. Maintenance of these areas becomes the responsibility of a condominium association. Every owner owns a share of interest in the condominium association, plus an obligation to pay monthly dues or special assessment fees for larger maintenance problems.
A condominium arrangement is not the best option for every potential homeowner. There can be a noticeable lack of privacy in the common areas--the pool must be shared with every other condominium owner, for example. Those who would prefer to own all of their amenities and maintain their own lawn and garden may want to pursue single home ownership options instead of a condominium. It can also be more difficult to sell a condominium unit as opposed to a home with acreage. Condo owners only own their units, not the ground beneath them.

Condominiums - Pros

  • Condominiums are generally less expensive than single family homes
  • You may be able to afford to live in a more expensive neighborhood
  • Easy lifestyle – the condominium homeowners association often covers roof replacement, exterior maintenance, common area maintenance, and other expenses
  • Good “lock and leave” vacation homes
  • Condominiums often include amenities such as a community pool

Condominiums - Cons
  • Noise from neighbors, including those above and below your unit
  • Homeowners’ association fees and politics, and CC&R restrictions
  • Parking at condominiums is often in a common area not attached to the home
  • No yard
  • Some condo buildings may have stairs

Those who may benefit the most from condominium living are veteran apartment renters who don't mind having close neighbors. Others may not want to be bothered with external maintenance or the responsibility of lawn care. The overall price of a condominium townhouse may be much lower than an equivalent single-unit home. Buying a condominium does allow equity to build, unlike paying monthly rent in an apartment complex.
One thing to be aware of when living in a condominium setting is the political reality of an owners' association. Decisions may be made in monthly meetings which will cost individual owners more money, but not necessarily deliver equal benefits for all. It can be nearly impossible to avoid being affected by at least one condo board decision, so active participation in meetings and discussions may be more compulsory than you might expect. Condominium living may be more advantageous financially than apartment rentals, but it does require more active participation in community events.

Looking for Foreclosures, Short Sales or HUD Homes for Sale in Columbus or Central Ohio? Foreclosure Buyer's Guide for Columbus Ohio Homes for Sale!
Start Condo Search Search by Community Listing Alerts via e-mail Buyer/Seller Resources Area School's Need to Sell?
Learn more about Columbus and Central Ohio Condo Communities, school districts, price ranges, and taxes.

Bexley Condos - Bexley is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. Incorporated as a village in 1908, Bexley is an old tree-lined suburb of Ohio's capital, Columbus, located on the banks of Alum Creek right next to Driving Park.
Canal Winchester Condos - Canal Winchester is a village in Fairfield and Franklin counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 4,478 at the 2000 census.
Columbus Condos - Columbus is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Ohio. Located near the geographic center of the state, Columbus is the county seat of Franklin County, although parts of the city also extend into Delaware and Fairfield counties.
Delaware Condos - Delaware is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Delaware County.
Dublin Condos - Dublin is a city in Franklin, Delaware, and Union counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 31,392 at the 2000 census. In 2007, the population was estimated to be 37,954, and Dublin continues to be one of the fastest-growing suburbs of Columbus.
Gahanna Condos - Gahanna is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 32,636 at the 2000 census.
Grandview Heights Condos - Grandview Heights is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 6,695 at the 2000 census.
Granville Condos - Granville is a village in Licking County, Ohio, United States, founded by settlers from Granville, Massachusetts, a town of which it now has three times the population.
Grove City Condos - Grove City, founded in 1852, is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 27,075 at the 2000 census. It is a suburb of Columbus.
Groveport Condos - Groveport is a village in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 3,865 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 4,926 as of July 2006.
Hilliard Condos - Hilliard is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 24,230 at the 2000 census. Hilliard's population was estimated to be 26,656 in 2005, and the city continues to grow.
Lewis Center Condos - Lewis Center is an unincorporated community in northwestern Orange Township, Delaware County, Ohio, United States, located between Columbus and Delaware.
New Albany Condos - New Albany is a village in Franklin and Licking Counties in the U.S. state of Ohio, just northeast of the state capital of Columbus.
Pataskala Condos - Pataskala is a city in Licking County, Ohio, United States. The population was 10,249 at the 2000 census; a 2006 estimate reported a population of 12,643.
Pickerington Condos - Pickerington is a city situated in Fairfield and Franklin counties in the central region of the U.S. state of Ohio.
Powell Condos - Powell is a city in Delaware County, Ohio, United States. The population was 6,247 at the 2000 census.
Reynoldsburg Condos - Reynoldsburg is a city in Fairfield, Franklin, and Licking counties in the U.S. state of Ohio.
Sunbury Condos - Sunbury is a village in Delaware County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,630 at the 2000 census, and estimated to be 3,252 as of July 1, 2006.
Upper Arlington Condos - Upper Arlington is a suburban city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States, on the northwest side of the Columbus metropolitan area.
Westerville Condos - Westerville is a city in Franklin and Delaware Counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. It is a suburb of Columbus. The population was 35,318 at the 2000 census.
Worthington Condos - Worthington is a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 14,125 at the 2000 census.

Looking for Foreclosures, Short Sales or HUD Homes for Sale in Columbus or Central Ohio?
Foreclosure Buyer's Guide for Columbus Ohio Homes for Sale!