More women choosing the condo lifestyle

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The condominium landscape across Metro Vancouver gets more beautiful and exciting every day. And condos continue to be the popular choice for new homebuyers from all walks of life, including more and more single women.
This started a few years ago, when the condominium lifestyle began receiving attention from more than just the empty-nester segment of the market. The feeling of community, nurtured by gorgeous amenity areas, combined with the privacy of having one’s own suite, offers the best of both worlds. Residents can mix and mingle with neighbours and also enjoy the solitude of their personal surroundings – all under one roof.
“Buying instead of renting is a wonderful investment in your financial and lifestyle future, and you can enjoy the fruits of this investment every day.”
Add to that the enhanced security that comes with condo living, and it is even more attractive for women. With the concierge providing screening of visitors and “eyes on the street,” suite owners have a feeling of security when entering their buildings. Today’s condo dwellers also enjoy peace of mind from features such as monitored cameras in the underground parking garage, enter phone or in-suite security systems.
In a condominium, there are plenty of neighbours close by should residents need help with anything. Trading favours like watering plants or caring for pets while someone is away is a common occurrence, and seeing the same people day after day in the hallways and elevators and getting to know them over time is comforting.
Another wonderful thing about buying a new condo is the “new” part. There is nothing like the smell of a new suite that is completely clean and waiting for your personal imprint. What a joy it is to be able to select your own colours and materials for flooring, countertops and the like. And starting out with brand new appliances is a real luxury.
Even when couples are involved in a condominium purchase, it is usually the woman who makes the primary decisions when it comes to selecting features and finishes, and even sometimes which building they choose. The standards and upgrades offered are important, because of the value they provide, and the opportunity to create surroundings that reflect the buyers’ personalities.
In addition to paying particular attention to the details, women tend to see the overall picture. Take the lobby, for example. This area is like the living room for the entire building, and I think that women, in particular, prefer it to have an upscale, sophisticated feel that reflects the sensibility of the condo’s architecture.
Day-to-day lifestyle is critically important in the list of reasons why women opt for condos as their first choice. A fantastic sense of freedom comes from the ability to lock and leave, without worrying about lawn maintenance, snow removal, heavy repairs and the like. Plus, today’s condominiums have positively gorgeous amenities that nurture a sense of belonging and make these buildings feel like “home” in the true sense of the word.
And let’s not forget price as a motivating factor in condominium selection. Across Metro Vancouver, condo suites are less expensive than lowrise homes, which accounts for their popularity with first-time buyers – females and males alike.
Buying instead of renting is a wonderful investment in your financial and lifestyle future, and you can enjoy the fruits of this investment every day.
By: Barbara Lawlor – president and CEO of Baker Real Estate Inc., and an in-demand columnist and speaker. A member of the Baker team since 1993, Barbara oversees the marketing and sale of condominium developments in Canada and overseas.
Original source: NEW CONDO GUIDE MAR 20 – APR 3, 2015
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