Condo Living 101

Desirable Condominium Attributes

What to look for: Desirable Condominium attributes

• High owner-occupancy rate (minimum of 51%)
• Stable monthly condominium fee
• Sufficient capital reserves (as evidenced in 5 year capital improvement plan)
• Strong, professional condominium management team (both on-site and parent company)
• Active, involved condominium Board of Directors
• Well maintained common areas
• Association rules regarding occupancy, parking, pets, etc.
• Independent utility meters? Pros and Cons:

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Plant Wisdom

There are a lot of tips on how to make an utterly drab cinder block condo as warm as possible and one of hem would be the addition of plants. They are good for the environment and can add some refreshing oxygen to an enclosed space as a condo but they need proper care and some caution for some of the toughest house plants are poisonous to animals and kids alike. Cacti are low maintenance yet their thorns sometimes contain break-away spines that in nature serves as the plant’s defense mechanism, but around kids, they can turn laughter into shrieks of pain. Dumbcane or elephant ears contain toxins that can be deadly to small animals and children so use only where the kids cannot reach. They can induce numbness of the lips and tongue but will lead to more serious health effects if ingested. Take samples of poisonous plants with you if you suspect ingestion so the emergency room staff can administer proper medication.
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Condominium 101 Tips

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Condominiums are no longer for the retiree and well-to-do. Whether a first-time home buyer looking for a safe place to raise their children or the young professional looking for luxurious living, the growing market of condos offers another option to buyers of every kind. While most may consider condos to be new or extravagant, the fact is condos do not have to be. There is a growing trend of reconstructing rental units into condominiums and the market is taking it in stride. Condo conversions are, however, causing a decrease in the rental inventory in major cities, such as Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Miami. This is not stopping developers; however, as the condo conversions are priced affordably and are being snatched up by first- time homebuyers everywhere. Developers are purchasing run-down apartment buildings in properties that are close to jobs and schools, converting them into affordable condo units, and refurbishing them with more extravagant upgrades, such as carpeting and stainless steel appliances. They then will revamp the common areas and put them on the market. To help them sell, many are including incentives and even offering to pay the closing costs for buyers. Many first-time homebuyers and retirees are purchasing them as they feel more secure.

What’s Up With Condo Living?

Are you curious about condominium life? When purchasing a condo you own from the walls in and share a common interest in all other areas such as driveways, sidewalks and group facilities located on the property.

There are many reasons why people prefer to purchase a condominium over a single family residence.

Price: Many condos cost less than residential homes; this allows many first time home buyers the opportunity to own property, gain equity and still afford to live their lives outside of a mortgage payment.

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Have a Dog?

In case you live in a house and you plan to relocate to a condominium, you sure can relocate any time. But what if you have a dog?

That could potentially be a big problem. Most condominiums don’t allow animals. You usually have to sign an agreement that you can’t bring any pet inside your unit. This is for noise control purposes.

Condo units are usually only separated by a thick wall. That means the residents in other units might hear your dog’s barking. And considering that hallways are usually empty, the barking of dogs tends to echo—and the whole floor would hear the racket your dog makes!

So in this case, you should look for condo management that allow pets. Or perhaps you should stick to your house!

Skin Whitening – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly Part 1

Hydroquinone has recently been banned from various countries after a recent study proving links with cancer.

But cancer is not the only health hazard associated with skin whitening. And many people are not fully aware of the possible dangers.
Using skin whitening products can damage the skin and cause it to loose its protective properties, leading to infections. The thinning of the skin caused by those products can also leave the skin with irreversible stretch marks Other bleaching products can cause liver damage, visible blood vessels and hyperpigmentation amongst many other dangers.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Condominium Ownerhip

Advantages of Condominium Ownership

• There is little to almost no maintenance responsibilities
• A condominium can be bought, sold, or refinanced, with very little, if any restrictions
• The cost compared to housing is generally lower than the fees of simple housing
• Expense for housing expense can be lower than when one rents a comparable unit
• Housing expense is relatively stable (versus rental)
• Often, close-in desirable location

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