Should I buy a house? Here are some benefits:

- Family-friendly living. If you have a family or plan to start one, having a private yard is a great feature. Unlike apartment or condo settings, you can build a sandbox, swing set or simply enjoy the area.

- Control over your space. When you own a single-family home, interior renovations and decorations, as well as exterior landscaping, are at your discretion. You also don’t have to pay association fees to a board that makes decisions on landscaping or exterior maintenance. This fundamental freedom is a strong selling point for many homebuyers.

-Privacy. One of the best features of living in a single-family home is that you no longer share walls with neighbors. This means you don’t have to hear someone else’s music, conversation or furniture arranging. While city lots may put other homes close to yours, there’s still a buffer, and the more distance between your homes, the more privacy you can enjoy.

Should I buy a house? Here are some things to consider:

-Cost of maintenance. The independence of owning a single-family home comes with the lone responsibility for maintenance. Costs can add up fast, from minor things like doors that don’t shut properly and light fixtures that break, to major repairs like roofs, furnaces and water heaters. But, homeowner insurance can help protect your investment.

-Leaving your home unattended. If you’re a frequent traveler, leaving your home unattended can cause problems. For starters, an empty home is an easy target for burglars. Taking steps like holding mail and the newspaper, setting light timers and arranging for yard work or snow removal require advance planning and cooperation from neighbors and friends. Additionally, if a pipe breaks or a mechanical issue arises while you’re away, the damage will go unnoticed until you arrive home. If these issues seem daunting to you, consider looking into condo life.

Should I buy a condo? Here are some benefits:

-Shared responsibility and maintenance. One of the biggest benefits of living in a condo is the lack of maintenance. You typically pay a fee so the association can hire professionals to do major repairs and landscaping. This means you’re not cutting the grass or fixing that leaky roof. But, even though you aren’t responsible for property maintenance, you still need to protect your belongings with condo insurance.

-Modern facilities. Newer condo complexes have made great strides in reducing noise from neighbors. And central air conditioning, efficient appliances, Internet access and other technology features are more accessible in a new building.

-Luxurious perks and amenities. If you’re interested in easy access to many amenities that are out of your price range in a single-family home, a condo may be the perfect fit for you. Many complexes feature swimming pools, tennis courts and fitness centers.

Should I buy a condo? Here are some things to consider:

-Less family-friendly. Condos are generally made up of single people, couples with no children and retirees. If you want space for kids to grow and play, as well as other kids to play with, a condo may not be the best fit.

-Rules and restrictions. In the interest of preserving value, many condo associations restrict what you can and cannot do with your space. Restrictions may include rules on layout and renovations, decorations in common spaces or parking restrictions. You can review these rules prior to buying.

-Uncertain resale value. Selling your condo can be challenging depending on the market as well as the residents. When the market dips and condos become difficult to sell, many owners may rent their units. Typically, the more renters a condo complex has, the harder it is for other owners to sell.

Deciding whether to buy a house or condo is certainly a big decision, so take the time to weigh the costs and benefits before making a move. No matter where you choose to move, always protect your home and your property with insurance. You can get a homeowners insurance quote from Nationwide Insurance today.

On Friday, the washing machine in the unit ABOVE mine overflowed and caused A LOT of water damage. It hit my condo and 5 others! The damage was the worst in my condo though.

Haven’t heard from the above owner and her property manager told my insurance agent he would have to formally request the owners name in a letter to get it. How lovely.

I have isurance, but I was told the owner in the condo above mine does not have personal insurance and they are trying to get the HOA insurance to cover everything.

I was told by my insurance agent that there is almost $100k worth of damage to all the condos that were hit.

Like I said, I have insurance but this owner above sound iffy. I find it unlikely HOA will cover this.

IF this goes to court, do we need to prove there was negligence or is the owner above responsible no matter what? it was her washing machine.

I might lose a tenant, the property value of my condo went WAY down. I don’t know what I should do.

Not sure if the owner will fix her own condo w/no insurance. EEk