Eric Bramlett is the broker & co-owner fo One Source Realty in Austin, TX. He currently manages his Austin Real Estate Guide, his Austin Real Estate companyâs website, & his Austin Lofts Guide.

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A growing number of people in the real estate market are looking to buy a condo rather than to purchase a home or to rent an apartment.  But, why are condos so hot in the real estate world?  Here are the top five reasons why so many are looking to buy condos rather than other forms of real estate.

Reason #1:  Condos Do Not Require Upkeep

One of the biggest reasons that so many people are looking to buy a condo is the fact that they do not require the same type of upkeep as owning a house.  For those that hate mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, repainting the house, or doing other chores associated with homeownership, it simply makes more sense to buy a condo.  In addition, many people simply do not have the time to maintain a home because of their careers.  Therefore, a condo provides a practical solution.

Reason #2:  A Condo is an Investment

Of course, those that don’t want the upkeep headaches associated with a house could always rent an apartment.  The problem with an apartment is that it often feels like money is being “thrown away” as you pay your rent and effectively help your landlord buy a piece of real estate.  With a condo, you can still buy the place in which you live while still enjoying the same conveniences offered by an apartment.

Reason #3:  You Can Take Advantage of the Amenities

When you buy a condo, you also buy rights to a number of amenities.  Since all of the money put into the condo is shared by those living in the building, it is possible to afford many of lives little luxuries that are difficult to afford on your own.  For example, when you buy a condo, you might gain instant access to a pool, an on-grounds gym, and more.  Even better, you don’t have to worry about the upkeep for these little perks either.

Reason #4:  You Can Get More Space

Often, buying a condo is a good alternative for those looking for a large piece of real estate but that do not have the funds.  If you want to buy a 3,000 square foot home, you may not have the funds for it.  On the other hand, it might be within your budget to buy a condo that provides 3,000 square feet of space.  In fact, there are some pretty good deals going on in the condo aspect of the real estate market right now that some savvy shoppers are happily taking advantage of.

Reason #5:  You Want to Socialize

If you do not have a large circle of friends and you are looking to socialize more, a condo can help make this happen.  When you buy a condo, you also buy into a community.  Therefore, purchasing a condo can easily and quickly provide you with a whole new group of friends that you can get to know and enjoy.

There are many reasons to buy a condo rather than other forms of real estate or rather than renting an apartment.  At the same time, a condo is not the right answer for everyone.  Therefore, you should weigh the pros and cons of all of your options in order to find the right place for you.


Eric Bramlett is the broker & co-owner of One Source Realty in Austin, Texas.  Eric currently manages his Downtown Austin Condo Guide, his Austin Condos company’s website, & his  Central Austin Condo Guide.