Condominiums and townhouses are a great and affordable option to a single-family home in most areas. But here are some facts to consider before you buy.

1. Amenities. Many condo properties provide fitness centers, swimming pools, and other facilities. It would be very expensive in a single-family home to buy all these amenities.

2. Maintenance. Many condos have onsite maintenance personnel to fix repairs needed in your unit and to upkeep the common areas. However, they can let workers inside your unit when you’re not home.

3. Security. Many condos take some efforts to make sure that the area is secure. Some have gated communities, keyed entries and or even door attendants. Also, in case of an emergency people are closer around you.

4. Storage. Some condos have storage lockers, but there are no attics or basements, like a single-family home, to store belongings.

5. Outdoor space. You don’t need a lawnmower when you own a condo. However, if love to entertain outdoors or garden, yards and outdoor areas are usually smaller in condos so this may not be suitable for your needs

6. Association fees. Fees are used to help pay for amenities and offer savings for future repairs agreed to by the condo board. You will have to pay these fees whether or not you are interested in using an amenity.

7. Neighbors. You proximity is much closer to your neighbors in a condo or townhome. Try and see how the “sound proofing” is and try to meet your closest prospective neighbors if possible before making a decision.

8. Resale. Since units are usually fairly similar when selling your unit, it is more dependent on what else is for sale in your building. Single-family homes are usually are more individual.

9. Freedom. Although you have a vote, the rules of the condo association can affect your ability to use your property. For example, some condos prohibit pets while others prohibit home-based businesses. Before you make an offer, make you’re your read the covenants, restrictions, and bylaws of the condo carefully.

If you have any questions about Condos or would like more Vancouver Washington Real Estate information, please contact us at 360-256-4980 or email us at 4RitaScott@comcast.net.

1. Develop a family budget. Instead of budgeting what you’d like to spend, use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last six months. One advantage of this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, illnesses, etc., as well as predictable costs such as rent.
2. Reduce your debt. Generally speaking, lenders look for a total debt load of no more than 36 percent of income. Since this figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25 percent and 28 percent of income, you need to get the rest of installment debt—car loans, student loans, revolving balances on credit cards—down to between 8 percent and 10 percent of your total income.
3. Get a handle on expenses. You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expenses add up. Try writing down everything you spend for one month. You’ll probably see some great ways to save.
4. Increase your income. It may be necessary to take on a second, part-time job to get your income at a high-enough level to qualify for the home you want.
5. Save for a downpayment. Although it’s possible to get a mortgage with only 5 percent down—or even less in some cases—you can usually get a better rate and a lower overall cost if you put down more. Shoot for saving a 20 percent downpayment.
6. Create a house fund. Don’t just plan on saving whatever is left toward a downpayment. Instead decide on a certain amount a month you want to save, then put it away as you pay your monthly bills.
7. Keep your job. While you don’t need to be in the same job forever to qualify, having a job for less than two years may mean you have to pay a higher interest rate.
8. Establish a good credit history. Get a credit card and make payments by the due date. Do the same for all your other bills. Pay off the entire balance promptly.

If you need any help, The Rita Scott Group has many referrals than can help with your real estate needs. You may contact us at 360-256-4980 or email at 4RitaScott@comcast.net and we can refer you to a Financial Specialist that best suites you and situation. We would love to be your Vancouver Washington real estate consultant!

Battle Ground received its name from a conflict instead of a “battle.” In 1855, Captain Strong had captured some horse thieves and when their Chief had passed away, he allowed them to bury him if they promised to return back to his fort. When they returned, Strong was presented a petticoat for courage and bravery for not forcibly bringing them back. This area was then known for Strong’s Battle Ground. Battle Ground’s first known settler was John Tuke and now has a population of approximately 16,300 people.

Two of Battle Grounds Parks have recently been honored at the 2007 Community Pride Design Awards ceremony. Battle Ground Lake Skate Park is the first skate park in its city where many kids now enjoy the extreme sports of skate boarding, rollerblading, and BMX biking. Kiwanis Park is centrally located in Battle Ground and at 8 acres, is its largest fully developed city park. It has many recent updates like a new water feature, rest rooms, a trellis, additional landscaping and an expanded play structure with a climbing boulder. The Battle Ground Lake Park is Washington’s second largest state park that offers rentable cabins. It has many facilities like picnic sites, hiking trails, camping, fishing, restrooms, and equestrian (horseback) trails.

The Fish ‘N’ Fun, Harvest Days, and the Lady Bug Bazaar are held annually in Battle Ground. The Fish ‘N’ Fun is a family event where kids can learn how to catch fish and everyone can enjoy games and prizes. Harvest Days is the biggest yearly event and includes a wide variety of activities and affairs. It is organized by the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce and the types of events are parades, street dances, talent shows, and carnivals. The Lady Bug Bazaar is held on the first Saturday of November and is organized by the Battle Ground General Federation of Women’s Club. There are about 151 tables of items for sale and everything at the Bazaar is hand made. There is also art from the Battle Ground Art Alliance that is for sale.

If you have any Vancouver Real Estate needs, feel free to contact the Rita Scott Group at 360-256-4980 or email at 4RitaScott@comcast.net. We would love to help!

We’ve created this blog to be a full resource for those selling and buying homes in Vancouver Washington. We are a group of professional realtors who love our industry and want to share it with you; thus we created the Vancouver Washington Real Estate Blog to inform you of events, offer marketing and networking tips and advice, and generally help you ease into selling or buying a home in Vancouver WA, finding the right mortgage and much more.

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