Living in a condo

[mataraki]

Any tips in getting a condo unit. Is it better to stay in the upper floor? Pre selling condos.? Reputable developers. Experiences in condo living? Thanks in advance

[ghosthunter]

Any tips in getting a condo unit. Is it better to stay in the upper floor? Pre selling condos.? Reputable developers. Experiences in condo living? Thanks in advance

If the area has busy traffic in the area, living in the upper floors (ten or higher) can help reduce the noise level somewhat but not eliminate it.

But upper floors can have their own issues:
-typhoons winds can make water leak through closed windows.
-quakes feel more intense in the higher floors
-if the building has any water or electricity issues (example, busted water pump), it can be a big headache for the resident
-termites and other pests can attack your condo unit. They might also come from units above, below or beside you. Best to choose a condo building with annual pest control.
-neighbors. depends on your condo's construction and type of neighbors you get.
-leaks of water that come out of nowhere. Water leaks can travel a long distance vertically and horizontally within the building's structure before coming out somewhere. Once it starts in your unit, it may be hard to determine the source to fix.

When buying a condo, make sure you also buy enough parking slots for your needs. Even if you plan to use only one car slot, it may be a worthwhile investment to buy two slots. In most condos, you can rent out the extra parking slot to other residents who need the extra parking space.

Condo expenses does not stop when you buy your unit. You still have to spend on the monthly and annual dues. These are usually expenses of the building which includes: security guards, electricity, water, phones, elevator operation/maintenance, janitor and sanitation, swimming pool maintenance, admin staff salaries, general building maintenance, etc. Typically the amount to be paid is computed based on your condo unit's floor area.

[ghosthunter]

Any tips in getting a condo unit. Is it better to stay in the upper floor? Pre selling condos.? Reputable developers. Experiences in condo living? Thanks in advance

If the area has busy traffic in the area, living in the upper floors (ten or higher) can help reduce the noise level somewhat but not eliminate it.

But upper floors can have their own issues:
-typhoons winds can make water leak through closed windows.
-quakes feel more intense in the higher floors
-if the building has any water or electricity issues (example, busted water pump), it can be a big headache for the resident
-termites and other pests can attack your condo unit. They might also come from units above, below or beside you. Best to choose a condo building with annual pest control.
-neighbors. depends on your condo's construction and type of neighbors you get.
-leaks of water that come out of nowhere. Water leaks can travel a long distance vertically and horizontally within the building's structure before coming out somewhere. Once it starts in your unit, it may be hard to determine the source to fix.

When buying a condo, make sure you also buy enough parking slots for your needs. Even if you plan to use only one car slot, it may be a worthwhile investment to buy two slots. In most condos, you can rent out the extra parking slot to other residents who need the extra parking space.

Condo expenses does not stop when you buy your unit. You still have to spend on the monthly and annual dues. These are usually expenses of the building which includes: security guards, electricity, water, phones, elevator operation/maintenance, janitor and sanitation, swimming pool maintenance, admin staff salaries, general building maintenance, etc. Typically the amount to be paid is computed based on your condo unit's floor area.

[mataraki]

thanks sir. at first we were looking for a townhouse but its more expensive and besides we are just praparing the condo for the kids when they go to college in manila. ill get the 16th floor of the 38 floor condo. my other choices are the 10th and the 38th floors. any suggestion? i am just worried if its a good investment but its a better choice for us at this time. shall i close the deal?

[ghosthunter]

thanks sir. at first we were looking for a townhouse but its more expensive and besides we are just praparing the condo for the kids when they go to college in manila. ill get the 16th floor of the 38 floor condo. my other choices are the 10th and the 38th floors. any suggestion? i am just worried if its a good investment but its a better choice for us at this time. shall i close the deal?

I would suggest the higher floor options. As mentioned, this would help with the noise issue coming from street level. Advantage of the higher floors would be a better view from your unit and less dust as well. But if you have pets (or plan to own a dog) you will have to check the rules & regulations for them in the condo. Many condo might allow pets but pets would not be allowed in the elevator. So if you want to take the dog for a walk, you will have to use the stairs which will be a long climb if you are not in shape.

BTW, I would also suggest a unit with bedrooms facing the morning sun. This would help keep the room cool later in the day (afternoon and night). If the bedrooms were facing the afternoon sun, the rooms would still be very warm in the evening, resulting is higher aircon use.

Another advantage of a condo is better security since there is just one point of entry/exit.

In the long run, the condo might be the better choice. Lower long term maintenance issues of the structure (roof, etc) and better overall security might be the ideal choice for you. Of course some people also want to have an actual garden, etc which you will not have with a condo.

[Ry_Tower]

Actually I am also contemplating between a small house or a condo for my son when he goes to college. This has been helpful.

[ghosthunter]

Actually I am also contemplating between a small house or a condo for my son when he goes to college. This has been helpful.

Well, you can ask what is on your mind.

Condos for small kids can be fun. Many have pools and a secured play area.

For older children (college age) it may offer a more convenient travel distance to school, as many condos are being situated near colleges and universities. Downside, many condos (of more recent construction) tend to have smaller floor areas and/or lower ceiling as compared to older condo developments.

[vinj]

Actually I am also contemplating between a small house or a condo for my son when he goes to college. This has been helpful.

BTW, my experience with some friends who had condos near the schools... nagiging scene of the crime yung place :naughty2: :rave: :cheers:

[foresterx]

I live in a condo right now and it is very convinient for me since i travel a lot and everything i need is near me. Restaurants, mall, grocery store, repair shops, car wash, banks. Also maganda pa mga facility ng condo namin, gym with sauna, pool, playground, mini restaurants, 7/11. Biggest advantage for me is the security since like i said i travel a lot, when im abroad i dont have to worry about my house getting broken into. Also mamili ka ng condo na medyo highend at di kaya bilin ng mga OFW, kasi kung mura lang like my old condo yung crowd iba, lalo na mga kamag anak ng OFW and iranian/korean students ang magiging crowd mo. Pag ganon ang mga kapitbahay mo dudumi yung building nyo, tapon ng tapon ng basura sa bintana at hallway nag yoyosi, dura kung sansan. Sa old condo ko meron ako kapitbahay kala mo kung sino sobra yabang kung umasta pa kala mo sya may ari ng building pati tapon ng tapong ng basura kung sansan lang pati nag yoyosi sa hallway, taxi driver lang pala at bigay lang ng kapatid nyang OFW yung condo niya. Kaya ngayon lumipat na ko ng ibang condo na sigurado maganda ang crowd at never mag kakaron ng mga taong ganon ang ugali.

[Juan Martinez]

OB huwag mo ng i-continue.
it's not about you.

[dreamur]

Lol. Hayaan mo na bro. Nagpalabas lang ng sama ng loob.

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[lowslowbenz]

Marami daw bawal and limitations ang condo living!

Nabasa ko lang doon sa thread ni boss clavel ...

[dreamur]

Marami daw bawal and limitations ang condo living!

Nabasa ko lang doon sa thread ni boss clavel ...

Oo, may bagyo dun...daming sasakyan nilipad ng hangin!

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[b_9904]

Any tips in getting a condo unit. Is it better to stay in the upper floor? Pre selling condos.? Reputable developers. Experiences in condo living? Thanks in advance

Go with reputable builder always.

Preselling vs RFO - depends sa needs no.

35sqm is very small if you have kids.

Get a unit in projects that is VERY accessible yet are not built NEXT to a major thoroughfare.

NEXT to Creeks and rivers = as a rule, mosquitoes or smelly.

Get a project that has good corridor ventilation. Smelly corridor sucks.

Get a unit in projects with roomy parking lots or slots. Trust me, this counts a lot in terms of stress.

Basement parking is ok if the area does not have a history of high floods, or if the project is raised above the highest historical flood mark. Else, get at least 2nd floor parking.

Get the highest floor you could afford, always.

Just to name a few lang.

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[lowslowbenz]

NEXT to Creeks and rivers = smelly.

True, without aircon, our unit in Tivoli has that "eau de pasig" fragrance all day long.

[Paul_Walker]

ako i prefer lower floors, parang hassle lang kasi bumaba ulit pag me kailangan kang bilhin or may naiwan ka sa car sa parking, unlike ung 3 or 2 floors down ka lang, you can take the stairs na lang, just my opinion tho.

BTW, i just moved in to my new condo, meron ba kayong kilalang gumagawa ng interior? i saw a model unit in SM north last weekend, and ang ganda nung design nila, baka may idea kayo kung sino contractor nila? papagaya ko na lang

[b_9904]

ako i prefer lower floors, parang hassle lang kasi bumaba ulit pag me kailangan kang bilhin or may naiwan ka sa car sa parking, unlike ung 3 or 2 floors down ka lang, you can take the stairs na lang, just my opinion tho.

BTW, i just moved in to my new condo, meron ba kayong kilalang gumagawa ng interior? i saw a model unit in SM north last weekend, and ang ganda nung design nila, baka may idea kayo kung sino contractor nila? papagaya ko na lang

May kilala akong interior designer. Pm mo nalang ako

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[b_9904]

True, without aircon, our unit in Tivoli has that "eau de pasig" fragrance all day long.

Even with the strong winds?

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[kagalingan]

Ok next review is the 2 bedroom unit.

Remember ako lang magisa tumira.

Ito 2 bedroom unit ang masasabi ko people's choice. Marami ako nakasalubong dito na hi! hello! how are you! Magandang umaga! Smiling crowd.

Some of them let me enter their unit. Grabeh sa liit ng unit pero jampacked appliances at maseselan dami designer clothes. Naalala ko tuloy nung sumikat na jeans around 1998-2002 i forgot the brand parang gauliter jeans, remember yun marami tag/patch/logo sa likod.

Pero nakaka-sad ang two-bedroom unit for a family of four. Pag gising mo labas ng kwarto ang sasalubong sala/kitchen agad. Bawat ikot mo puro pader. Napansin ko din lagi sila nasa balcony tapos nagpicture-picture parang iniisip to ease the pain "bakit ba ako bumili ng condo? Pero naka fake smile.

But for me kung mag-isa ka lang livable naman ang 2 bedroom.

[dr. d]

it really depends on what you intend to do, living in the condo.
if you won't entertain visitors and it's only one body (yours), you might even get away with a studio unit.
if you have a lot of things you find necessary for decent living, you probably need a larger area condo, with several rooms (for compartmentalization, etc.).
the parking slot is a must, even if you don't have a car now.
have fun, condo hunting.

but, in my opinion, a house and lot would be the better buy. it's "more permanent".