First Time Buyer- Condo vs. House

It is different city to city, but when it comes down to it, there are good and bad things about being a homeowner vs. a condo owner. If you have never considered condo living or don't really know the difference, I thought I would share my take on the topic.

Yard work! Do you like the great outdoors or does the sight of a spider send you running? Do you own a lawnmower? Did you know you have to do maintenance to lawn mowers? Owning a house means owning a yard (usually).  Yard work is tedious and during the warm months can take a lot of time and energy just to keep it from looking bad. Making it look good requires even more work, planting annuals, fertilizing the grass, trimming and raking after mowing.... This is something I see a lot of first time buyers overlooking. They see a nice yard, of course it is appealing visually, but then they don't realize it can take an entire weekend day to keep it looking this way. If you like to spend your summer weekends watching sports and kicking back at the pool- a house might not be the best option. (don't forget about shoveling snow and salting the ice in the winter months, too!)

Home maintenance. Also a thing that some first time buyers don't think about. Not only do you need to keep the inside of the house in working order, but the outside. It can take a beating throughout the year and can be a lot of extra work. Tree limbs can fall, shingles can blow off the roof, squirrels can move into your chimney. If the thought of this work is too much to bear, a condo might be the best option.

A lot of people don't like the idea of paying association fees that most condos have. They cover all of the things I mentioned above and maybe even more. You might get access to a workout room a playground or a pool. All things that you can walk to from your own front door.

If you haven't considered condo living, think it over. It can make your life a lot easier.

I'm busted- Yes, I am having a love affair. Her name is Pinterest!

It was so unexpected. It has been hot and heavy. I can't get enough of it. Ok- I will stop with the innuendos, but I know I am not the only one who has fallen hard and fast for Pinterest. Where do I start? I joined over the holidays because I heard it was the "newest" thing, and I am always up for trying something new. I might also add, I have tried many social media outlets and while many of those accounts sit, stale and untouched, Pinterest has been gaining more and more of my attention. It is the only social media site that has even come close to interesting me as much as Facebook, and I dare I say it... Pinterest is my new #1!

What makes me love it so?
It has so many great ideas that I think I might attempt to try out. The best part is, I can pin these things to a board and when my hectic life allows me "free time" I can pull the board up and pick out the pin I want to try. I admit I have only tried one thing from my 7 Boards, 189 Pins and 87 Likes. Who cares! There is no guilt associated with dreaming. That is part of the fun.

Girl power, no boys allowed?
Yes, it is true. Pinterest is mostly occupied by women. I have heard guys talk badly about it or not understand the reason us ladies love it so much. Men don't understand Women most of the time because our brains function differently. It is the same with Pinterest. Women are visual. We like pretty things. Do you know a Women who loves Shoes or Purses in a way that seems unhealthy? This is the same thing! Women don't wear beautiful, uncomfortable clothes and shoes for Men. They wear them because they are visually beautiful and a compliment from another Women means we were right!
There are some guys who appreciate Pinterest and I know my husband appreciates the ideas I give to him that are from Pinterest. He would never admit it, but I think he hints around when he wants an idea that he thinks I probably have from Pinterest. For example, he recently asked me, who can't cook anything that doesn't go in the microwave, "Do you have any thoughts on St. Patrick's themed foods or drinks?". I should have just opened up my Spring Board and let him take a look.

 

How does Pinterest relate to Real Estate?
Easy! Need to spruce up your decor, your landscaping, your furniture. There are so many diy ideas on making pillow covers, planting cute herb gardens, painting ugly old furniture. Directions and pictures make it seem like anyone can do it. All of these things help make your house a home that you are proud of.

Even if you aren't the most tech savvy person, Pinterest is fun and easy. Come on, you know you want to try it!