In The Know

Upgrading from a condo to a house is a huge milestone! It is such an exciting time but there are a couple of things to keep in mind during this process. Upsizing does not need to be stressful and we are here to keep it a smooth process for you! Here are 5 tips if you are looking to upgrade from a condo to a house. 

1) Budget 

Upgrading to your first house from a condo is very exciting but it does come with more financial responsibility. With more square footage, there are more costs associated with it. Keep a budget in mind when looking for the perfect home and do not go out of that budget. When you purchase a bigger home, there are bigger utility bills and ongoing repair bills. The upside is you won’t be paying a condo fee anymore. 

2) What are you looking for?

Knowing what you want in your new home is important when upgrading from a condo to a house. When you are in a smaller space, you make use of every square foot. When you transition, you should ask yourself what you are looking for in your new home. What is the most useful space in your home? What areas do you rarely use? 

3) Check for repairs

When upgrading from a condo to a house, there can be a lot of little to big repairs. From foundation issues to a new roof to HVAC, all of these problems can be costly. A home inspector can help ensure that the house you’re considering is well maintained. As you walk through the property, we can point out some general repairs that we see but a home inspector can focus on the major repairs in your home. 

4) Getting to know your home 

When you find the right house, it’s a good idea to get familiar with its major systems. Where are the electrical panels located? What does each switch control? Trying to figure these things out once you’ve been living in a home for a while can be incredibly annoying. When purchasing your new home a home seller can be a valuable asset when asking questions! Before they hand the keys over, be sure that you’ve gone through the house carefully and gotten the full lay of the land.

5) New responsibilities

Once you buy a house, you’ll have more ownership responsibilities than you ever did with a condo. Some of the biggest has to do with maintaining the exterior of your property. From icy sidewalks to unwieldy tree branches, it’s important to know about any potential liability issues you’ll be responsible for.

Moving from a condo to a house isn’t always as simple as home buyers believe. That said, it doesn’t have to be stressful. With a bit of planning and some advice, you can ensure that you start your next chapter off right!