If you’re in the Orlando real estate market looking to purchase a property, there are several factors you need to consider, such as price, location, square footage, amenities, and security. However, there’s one factor that can encompass all the factors mentioned above and influence your decision, and that’s building type. Typically, the purchase decision falls to choosing between a traditional house and a condominium. Each housing type comes with its pros and cons depending on how you perceive them according to your requirements.
Whether you’re planning to change your neighborhood, downsize/upsize your living space, or relocate to the Sunshine State, check out this guide by experienced Orlando realtors before choosing between a condo and a house in Orlando.
Pros and Cons of Choosing Condo
A condo, or condominium, is a shared building or complex similar to an apartment. It is much smaller than a traditional house in square footage but bigger than a typical apartment, depending on the area and building size. Condos are popular for urban dwellers, first-time property buyers, investors, and downsizers.
Pros
- Large condominium neighborhoods in Florida offer shared amenities, such as swimming pools, docks, tennis courts, gyms, and utility stores.
- Condos are relatively cheaper than traditional single-family homes depending on neighborhood and building size/amenities.
- You don’t have to worry about repairs or maintenance as the condo board or homeowners association (HOA) maintains the exterior of the building, such as paint, gutter cleaning, and structural maintenance.
- Condos are typically closer to amenities and urban areas, making them more suitable for daily commuters than living in distant Orlando suburbs and exurban areas.
- Depending on the floor, you’re bound to have a great view of the vicinity, especially in a high-rise building.
Cons
- Since walls and common spaces are shared, you’ll have less privacy than a traditional house.
- One of the biggest disadvantages of Condos is limited storage space.
- You can expect strict rules regarding pet ownership, noise, timings, and home improvements, and the strictness depends on the HOA.
- The HOA and community vote on decisions regarding exterior maintenance or any changes. Therefore, you may even require getting permission to lay a welcome mat for your door front.
Pros and Cons of Choosing a Traditional House
A traditional house in Orlando, FL, is an independent residence that is not connected to any other residential structure in the vicinity. It usually accompanies a front or backyard, and the house owner has complete control over the land and any other structures on it, such as a garage, shed lawn, or parking space.
Pros
- The biggest advantage of buying a traditional house is that it comes with land ownership, giving owners complete freedom over their living space.
- Traditional houses are generally larger than condos and can have multiple floors.
- A house has no shared walls or spaces, so you don’t have to worry about privacy issues or nosy neighbors.
- Homeownership also gives you full control of the exterior. Meaning you can paint it any color, grow a garden, build a shed, or add a pool, etc.
- A house offers scalability so you can renovate it according to your family lifecycle.
Cons
- Depending on the neighborhood or size, a traditional house is generally more expensive than a condo.
- Homeowners are responsible for maintenance and upkeep.
- There are fewer amenities in the area; therefore, you’ll have to commute longer and further for school, work, or errands.
- Since houses have larger living spaces than condos, they typically incur higher utility bills due to higher energy requirements for heating and cooling.
Looking for an Experienced Florida Realtor?
And there you have it – the pros and cons of choosing between a condo and a house in Orlando. With this information, you can decide which property type better suits your requirements regarding space, budget, commute, privacy, and amenities. If you’re looking for a condo or traditional house in Winter Garden, Windermere, Ocoee, Clermont, and other neighborhoods in Orlando, Fl, visit Megan Dowdy Realty to get in touch with an experienced Orlando realtor or call 407-509-9279.