Moving away from renting and committing to buy your first condo can be an exciting yet also daunting experience. Whether you’re buying alone or with your partner, there is lots involved with buying any property that can stress you out if you’ve never done it before. To make sure that you’re all set up in your new condo without a hitch as soon as possible, we’ve put together some handy hints.

Know Where to Look

Looking for the perfect condo can be like finding a needle in a haystack. In order to make sure that you find the idea place for you, it’s a good idea to get a map and mark out areas which are in good proximity to the places which you need to go to, such as your workplace, local hospitals, and shops. Once you’ve narrowed an area down, it’s time to start searching for condos listed for sale in that area. You can find city-based Montreal condos for sale that are close by to everything you’ll need for an amazing city life.

Know the Rules

Even if you’re buying a condo, there are often rules associated with living there that residents need to live by. Because when you live in a condo you’re essentially sharing a building with hundreds of other home owners and tenants, the rules are usually in place to ensure everybody’s comfort and safety. Rules could include things such as whether or not pets are allowed, if it’s permitted to smoke in the property, and who is liable if your condo is damaged from an issue in another. Before committing to make a purchase, you should read the rules and decide whether or not you’re happy to live by them.

Find Out About Maintenance

Although it’s your responsibility to maintain and look after the condo which you buy, the common areas of the building also need to be maintained. Before buying a condo, find out how the common areas such as gardens or common rooms are maintained – is a professional cleaning company hired to do so, and if so, how much are the associated costs for residents?

Know What’s Included

Before you make a purchase, you’ll need to find out exactly what you’re buying. Will signing the paper mean that you’ve bought the condo only, or does it include your own parking space, or additional storage? Find out whether there is additional parking included for anyone who visits you, and whether the parking will be in an open car park or covered garage.

Think About the Future

Most people who buy condos will eventually upgrade to a bigger property, whether it is to start a family or for other reasons. When choosing a condo to buy, it’s not only you who you should think about – keep in mind any future buyers, and whether or not it’s going to be good to sell on. Steer clear of condos which have been on the market a long time.

Good luck with your home searching!