Condos

CELADON NEW TOWN – Open House Tuesday Feb. 9 11-1

Celadon New Town will be hosting an open house on Tuesday, February 9 from 11:00-1:00.

If you have never experienced the Celadon New Town Community, then now is your perfect chance!  With Attached Town Homes starting at $137, 000 and Detached Single Family Homes starting at $240,000, there is something for everyone!

Celadon New Town is built on the principles of New Urbanism, Fresh Architecture, Affordability, and Green Living.

Celadon also offers amenities, such as a community pool, amphitheater, walking paths, and playground.  There are also conveniently-located businesses such as Magnolia Salon, and The Crushed Grape Wine Store.  It is located just West of the Beltline behind Knapp’s Corner.

For more information, feel free to contact us.

Condos

What’s the difference between owning a House or Condominium?

Deciding whether to buy a single family home or condo can be a challenging decision to anyone in the market looking for a new place to live.   There are different structures that appeal to different lifestyles.  There are positives and negatives to both owning a house or a condo.

Condos are known for having easier upkeep.  While paying the homeowners fee every year can be an added expense; having no yard work, maintenance, or snow shoveling can save a lot of time.   Since condos are often built in large cities, their location can be extremely beneficial for homeowners working in downtown areas.  Single family homes do not exist in downtown areas.   Having a location close to work saves time and money that would otherwise be spent commuting.
Fees are often the major complaint of living in a condo complex.  Association fees month after month can be a significant cost to living in a condo.  Fees increases can be the outcome of the shared decision by a community.  Living within a homeowners association gives each owner a vote in each association meetings.   Often, meeting’s decisions can require an increase in fees to help cover the added expense of maintenance or new projects that the association deem necessary.
Houses are the most common choice in the United States as a place to live.  There are no association fees to be paid for maintenance. It is the homeowner’s choice to spend as much or as little money and time on exterior and interior maintenance.    Single family homes are friendly for families with children and pets.  Single family houses have potential for growth for expanding families by renovating an old living space, finishing the basement, or putting an addition on the house.   Houses offer a lot more freedom than condos or apartments do.
While houses usually allow for plenty of space and the right to free choices, there are many responsibilities homeowners have that would otherwise be taken care of living in a condo or apartment.  A homeowner can often choose to hire companies to maintain a house, but the majority of people find it cheaper to do the work themselves.  The work entails yard work, snow shoveling, cleaning windows, cleaning gutters, and many other maintenance issues within the house.   These maintenance costs get higher and higher as the square footage of the house rises.  The time spent on house upkeep can be significant.   Since most houses have bigger square footage than condos, there is more hot water, more electricity, and more heat needed to keep the house comfortable, which ultimately creates higher utilities cost.
There are many similarities and differences that need to be reviewed before deciding on whether to buy a house or a condo.  A person in the market for a new place to live needs to take the time to establish his or her necessities  in a new living space in order to determine the most suitable place to live.

Source:

http://www.lendingtree.com/smartborrower/buying-a-home/finding-a-home/buying-condo-versus-house/

Condos

Condos, Townhomes, Single Family-Differences in Living Spaces

Difference in Living Spaces:  Condos, Townhomes, and Single Family Homes

Many home buyers often do not understand the difference between condos, apartments, townhomes, and houses.  When looking for a future place to live, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the differences between these living spaces.  The difference happens to be more in the ownership than the structure themselves.

First, condominiums are individually owned units within a larger structure. The buyer also owns a percentage of property and shared facilities on the property. Condos owners own the interior of their unit.  Owners in a condominium complex are members of homeowners association which requires mandatory fees to cover maintenance for the shared property and facilities.  The complex has a master deed that states the percentage of ownership each condo unit has in the complex.  Condos can fit the needs of individuals, couples, and families.

Second, an apartment can be the exact same thing as a condominium. However, ownership in this form of living is different.  Apartments are owned by a single person or company who then rents out the living spaces to individual renters. Apartment renters, depending on the contract, will also pay maintenance fees to the owner of the apartment.

Third, a townhome buyer individually owns the unit including the exterior and the land that the unit was built on.   Townhomes also have separate roofs unlike the condos.  Townhomes are closer related to individual homes than condos.  They can include garages and small backyards that the owners are required to maintain.  Like condos, townhome owners also typically pay fees in for general maintenance of the complex. Townhomes can also be known as townhouses or row homes.  Townhomes are appealing to individuals, couples, and families.

Fourth, single-family homes are the most common form of ownership in the United States.  Single-family homes are detached structures that can be one, two, or three levels.  They often come with front and backyards. This style of living space generally appeals to single families needs.

Sources:

http://realtytimes.com/rtpages/20000629_condotwnhome.htm

http://www.ncrec.state.nc.us/publications-bulletins/condos.html#legal

Condos

Steve Volkers Group Partners with Sierrafield Condominiums!

The Steve Volkers Group and Sierrafield Condominiums is excited to announce our partnership!  Combining the marketing of the Steve Volkers Group with the real estate knowledge and quality of Sierrafield is sure to generate quite a buzz!

Sierrafield Condominiums is located in Byron Center Michigan.

With mature landscaping that rivals countryside living, and amenities such as shopping, restaurants, hospitals and entertainment mere minutes away, Sierrafield really can’t be beat. Standard features include an attached garage, vaulted ceilings, central air conditioning, double wall construction to prevent sound traveling, appliances and much more.

You also have the option of personalizing your unit by adding upgrades or even designing the space yourself!

Offering multiple floorplans divided into ranch, split-level, or townhomes you are sure to find a style to fit your lifestyle.

Sierrafield Condominiums is open Tuesday and Thursday 11-3, Wednesday 3-6 and other dates and times by appointment.

We are very excited for this partnership and can’t wait to show you all that Sierrafield has to offer!

Please contact us for more information.

Condos

Grand Rapids Parade of Downtown Living This Weekend!

We’re counting down to the 2009 Parade of Downtown Living here in Grand Rapids.  For only $10 you can tour several of the finest condominium buildings Grand Rapids has to offer. The Parade runs  Friday, June 12, 4 – 8 PM, Saturday, June 13, 10 AM – 5 PM, and Sunday, June 14, 11 AM – 3 PM.

Free parking is available in three locations:

Northeast Lot — Across the street from the Park Row Condominiums, on Union Street one block north of Michigan.  For directions, click here.

Northwest Lot — Behind the Boardwalk Condominiums — enter off Mason Street. For directions, click here.

City Lot Area 7 — South of Michigan and north of Pearl.  For directions, click here.

Buses will come every 20 minutes. They will be marked Parade of Downtown Living for easy identification.

The money you pay for admission will go to support Dwelling Place, which works to change peoples’ lives by improving where they live through affordable housing and neighborhood revitilization.

Condos

Coming Soon — Parade of Downtown Living June 12-14, 2009

The 2009 Parade of Downtown Living (also referred to as The Parade of  Condos) is coming up soon — only 9 days away! Official dates and times are Friday, June 12, 4 – 8 PM, Saturday, June 13, 10 AM – 5 PM, and Sunday, June 14, 11 AM – 3 PM

Admission is $10 for all three days. You can purchase a wristband at any of the participating properties.

This year the tour will visit:

• Park Row Condominiums – 430 Union Ave NE
• River House at Bridgewater Place – 333 Bridge St. NW
• Union Square Condominiums – 600 Broadway St. NW
• Boardwalk Condominiums – 940 Monroe Ave NW
• The Fitzgerald – 27 Library St. NE
• Hillmount - 505 Cherry St.
• Lenox Apartments – 349 S. Division Ave

Check back later in the week for parking and transportation information.