Living independently is one of the biggest steps when entering into adulthood. Of course, being able to buy a house of your own may take some time, so renting an apartment is the usual first step into living independently.
When looking for an apartment, one of the options that you have is renting out a condo unit. Condo living has a lot of benefits, and one of these is being able to live near your place of work. If you key in “condo for sale Philippines” for example, you will see a lot of condos that are built within township projects and in key business districts, giving residents access to job opportunities in office buildings within the area.
If you are on the verge of looking for a condo unit as an apartment for the first time, here are some tips that can help you out:
- Get a lot of options
For areas where there is limited land, building up is the way to go. That is why a lot of condo projects are being built in urban centers. And because of this fact, there are lots of condo options for you to choose from.
Spend some time collecting potential condo options for you so that you will have more opportunity to find the best one. Check out property listing sites and check to see what kind of condo units are available in the location that you want. Online listings will allow you to at least see photos, get preliminary details, and be able to screen whether a condo option is worth even seeing in person.
- Do your research
As you check out your options, also check out what kind of rates other units in a certain condominium are so that you know whether a potential lessor’s offer is higher than what other unit owners are offering. Also check out who the property developers of your prospects are so that you know what to expect from their project, as well as what condo regulations you should anticipate as this has a huge impact on whether a condo is the right fit for you.
- Inspect thoroughly
The condo that you will choose will be your new home, so be necessarily meticulous when inspecting them. Be on the lookout for damages, leaks, and other issues that you may not have been made aware of when you initially reached out. Make sure that your doors and windows can be locked. Also ensure that alarms and sensors are working fine. Make sure that such issues have been addressed before you move in.
When inspecting, don’t just look at the unit itself. Assess the condominium building itself, its facilities, the kind of community the condo has, and the immediate neighborhood. All these elements have a role to play in your condo living experience.
To be safe from scammers, don’t pay any reservation fee until you see a unit in person as this is a common scheme that these crooks do.
- Negotiate and ensure the coverage of your monthly rent
Lessors usually market their unit with a mark-up. This gives you some room to negotiate the rent down.
Also clarify what the inclusions of your monthly rent are such as whether or not the rent already includes the building dues, as well as other fees that may be charged to residents. The goal is to get the right condo at the best value so don’t be scared to check whether your rates can still be lowered.
- Own your space
To a certain extent, you should be able to turn your condo unit into your own space. Personalize in areas where you are allowed to so that you’ll really feel at home in your condo unit. Always make sure you are clear with the level of improvement and decoration that you are allowed to do as per your lease contract though so that you will not be met with penalties from the owner.
With these 5 easy tips, you’ll be able to start your independent life the right way. So find the perfect condo rental for you now so that you can start experiencing the condo life.
